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The mission of the U.S. Department of Education is "to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access."
The Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (DHSI) Program exists to provide resources of an educational nature in the form of grants that enhance learning opportunities in higher education for Hispanic students.
La Sierra University is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and as such has applied for and received four Title V program grants. The first grant is entitled Closing the Gap: A Holistic Approach to a Degree Completion Pathway for Hispanics at La Sierra University. The second grant is entitled Guided Pathways to Success for Hispanic and Low-Income Students, from Gateway to Graduation. Encouraging Teacher Education with Hispanics and Low-Income University Students for STEM Teaching Training is the third grant. The fourth grant is entitled Sustainability Studies Program: Promoting Baccalaureate Degree Completion in High-Need Areas for Hispanics and promotes three new innovative degree pathways for our region. Under these four grants, La Sierra University has been able to generate dynamic programs that are or will become institutional cornerstones at the University because of the numerous opportunities they provide to students.
About Our Grants
Established in October 2023.
Five-year, $3 million grant.
Objectives
- Enroll new students in Sustainability Studies Program pathways
- Increase the percentage of first-generation Hispanic undergraduate students enrolled and graduating with a degree
Overall Grant Goals
- Develop a high-need Sustainability Science Program with three new degree pathways
- Expand focus on student support to include the development or redesign of instructional programs and support strategies
- Strengthen college capacity for improved equity
Target
- Increase the number of Hispanic and low-income students who have access to and complete degree and career opportunities in the region
This grant is funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Developing Hispanic Serving Institutions (DHSI) program. Grant #P031S230222.
Established in October 2021.
Five-year, $3 million grant.
Objectives
- Increase the number of K-12 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) educators graduating and entering the workforce
- Increase access to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) degrees and career opportunities to Hispanic and low-income students across the Inland Empire
Overall Grant Goals
- Increase number of students who have access to and complete STEM degrees by:
- Making improved equity outcomes a top priority through reinforced college capacity
- Narrowing gaps in achievement
- Redesigning and redeveloping programs and strategies toward a strengthened focus on persistence
Target
- Provide equitable access for Hispanic and low-income students to complete articulated STEM degrees and go on to STEM-related career opportunities
The STEM Teacher Training grant is funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Developing Hispanic Serving Institutions (DHSI) program. Grant P031S210063.
Established in October 2019.
Five-year, $3 million grant.
Objectives
- Increase access to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) degrees and career opportunities to Hispanic and low-income students across the Inland Empire
- Enhance facilities, upgrading equipment, supporting student services that positively affect graduation rates and developing faculty and staffing needs
- Increase the number of first-time and transfer STEM students enrolled
- Increase retention and graduation rates in STEM students
- Increase in students who participated in grant-supported services or programs and completed a degree or credential
Overall Grant Goals
- Increase number of students who have access to and complete STEM degrees by:
- Making improved equity outcomes a top priority through reinforced college capacity
- Narrowing gaps in achievement
- Redesigning and redeveloping programs and strategies toward a strengthened focus on persistence
Target
- Provide equitable access for Hispanic and low-income students to complete articulated STEM degrees and go on to STEM-related career opportunities
The Guided Pathways to Success for Hispanic and Low-Income Students, from Gateway to Graduation. Encouraging Teacher Education with Hispanics and Low-Income University Students project is funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Developing Hispanic Serving Institutions (DHSI) program. Grant P031S190114
Closing the Gap was the first Title V grant awarded to La Sierra University. This grant was implemented successfully with numerous long-lasting projects that will remain part of La Sierra University for years to come. Details of the grant:
- $2.6 million over 6 years
- Upgraded to the Collaborative Learning Center (relocated to Library for a larger space, functional furniture, smart study room with two smart boards)
- Upgraded AV systems in high-traffic spaces (classrooms, auditorium and amphitheaters)
- Expanded the First-Year Seminar course to three quarters, creating themes for each quarter and making sure each section was standardizing curriculum across all sections
- Replaced basic writing program with an accelerated learning program, allowing students to self-place and receive college credit for all sections (eliminating the need for remedial English)
- Created a basic math course leading into statistics (instead of only college algebra); created a go-at-your-own-pace basic math course to minimize the time students spend taking and/or failing basic math
- Implemented a continuing Summer Bridge program with a math intensive that consistently increased student placement scores and often raised student placement from basic math to college-level math
The Closing the Gap grant is funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (DHSI) program. Grant P031S150044.
The contents of these web pages were developed under a grant from the Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.