Latino Youth and Higher Education in Minnesota
Explore the initiatives of the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs (MCLA) and the educational landscape for Latino youth in Minnesota. Discover statistics on Latino student enrollment, academic indicators, and community-identified solutions for higher education barriers and opportunities in the state.
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Latino Youth and Higher Education in Minnesota Violeta Hern ndez Espinosa| Education Legislative and Policy Director mn.gov/mcla
Overview of MCLA Latino youth and enrollment Barriers and community-identified solutions to higher education issues for Latino families Sharing of college student experiences: Anthony Villagrana Stephanie Flores-Ortiz 3/20/2025 2
Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs (MCLA) Minnesota Statute: 15.0145 ETHNIC COUNCILS The Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs includes public members with an ethnic heritage from Mexico, any of the countries in Central or South America, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, or Puerto Rico. Each council has 15 voting members. Eleven members of each council are public members appointed by the governor. Four members of each council are legislators. Executive Director and Staff (4 + Policy Fellows) 7 main duties as a Council advise and inform the legislative and executive branches of government on issues of importance to constituent communities. Unique structure -- Four areas of focus : Immigration, Education, Economic Development and Health. 3/20/2025 3
Latino Minnesotans are YOUNG Latinos are the fastest growing demographic group in Minnesota 24: median age of Minnesotan Latinos 39% of the state s 284,000 Latinos are children 92% of all MN Latino children are native-born 26% of Latino children live in poverty 3/20/2025 mn.gov/mcla
2017 Latino K-12 and College Enrollment 9.3% of K-12 Enrollment All K-12 Students Latino Students 884,852 82,275 5.6% of Higher Education Enrollment All Latino Students College Students 256,394 14,244 Source: MDE Report Card 1.23.19 MDE Online Analytics OHE Fall 2017 Enrollment 3/20/2025
Latino Student Enrollment by Higher Education System System Enrollment Percent of Latino higher education enrollment State College (Community & Tech) 7,258 51.0% State University 1,948 13.7% University of Minnesota 1,786 12.5% Private Colleges & Universities 2,528 17.7% Private Career School or University Online Only 724 5.1% 3/20/2025 6
5 Key Statewide Latino Academic Indicators Latino 3rd Graders achieving reading & language arts standards 38% Latino 8th Graders achieving math standards 35.4% Latino 4-year adjusted high school graduation rate 73.5% Have a post-secondary certificate or degree for those between 25 & 44 24% Have an associate or higher degree for those between ages 25 & 44 19.8% MDE - ESSA State Plan Appendix A OHE - Educating for the Future
Minnesotas Higher Education Attainment Goal Increase the percent of Minnesotans age 25 to 44 who have attained a postsecondary certificate or degree to 70 percent by 2025 70% State Goal 24% Latino 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 3/20/2025 8
Community Engagement - Cornerstone of our work 17 listening sessions in 15 cities and towns: 350 community stakeholders participated Willmar Marshall Long Prairie Northfield Mankato St. James Austin August Melrose Moorhead Worthington (2) Faribault Albert Lea East and West Side - St. Paul Centro Tyrone Guzman - Minneapolis CANDO - Minneapolis One-to-one meetings with Superintendents, Principals, Cultural & Family Liaisons, Teachers, Pastors and Priests, Mayors and other stakeholders (48 alone in 2017) 9
Barriers to Educational Success for Latinos: Themes from Listening Sessions Throughout the State (2017 & 2018) The Opportunity Gap: A diverse set of barriers that include limited funding for English Language Learner programs, limitations to extracurricular opportunities, insufficient transportation to school/opportuniti es, growing but limited cross- cultural competence, and few opportunities to enroll students in early education programs exacerbate the gap. Support from Educators & Support Staff: There is a shortage of bilingual and Latino teachers in our schools. Cultural liaisons and translators in our schools have improved the situation, but Latino students are still negatively affected with a lack of role models and advocates. Support from Parents: Parental involvement in their children s education is limited for a variety of reasons. Language barriers, a lack of system understanding, and heavy workplace demands are hindering Latino parents in educational involvement. Access to Higher Education: Lack of system knowledge by both students and parents, lack of individualized assistance, language barriers and limited local knowledge and support of programming and financial aid specific to Latinos limit access. The economic barrier continues to be the major barrier to higher education access and completion. GREATER SUCCESS & CLOSING GAPS 3/20/2025
Higher Education Barriers and Challenges Lack of system knowledge by both students and parents Lack of individualized assistance Language barriers (for parent involvement) Limited local knowledge and support of programming and financial aid specific to Latinos limit access. The economic barrier continues to be the major barrier to higher education access and completion. 3/20/2025 11
Higher Education Priorities: Themes from Listening Sessions Throughout the State (2017 &2018) 1. Increased financial aid for students targeted is best 2. Increase money for programs: College in the Schools Career-Tech Ed GYO Teaching Programs TORCH (Northfield) 3. Schools and educators need to be culturally responsive Increase Teachers of Color Increase bilingual support -- support for cultural liaisons and community navigators. Have higher expectations for our youth to gain a post-secondary education and for the professions they will enter Listen to our community s experiences, needs and recommendations
Higher Education Priorities (cont.) 4. Increase Adult Basic Ed support intensive ELL so that parents can participate 5. Increase support (in language) to navigate the complexity of education systems Increase mentoring programs & intensive college preparation programs Increase information available (special attention to DACA, MN Dream Act) 6. Community colleges should more closely reflect the diversity of the people that live in the community and we must address the low graduation and transfer rates of these colleges serving over 50% of Latino higher education students in MN.
2019: Rising to meet Higher Education Attainment Goal #1 Education Priority for State Ethnic Councils and Indian Affairs Council: Increase Teachers of Color Act of 2019 Number one priority for Latino community in education 629 Latino teachers out 60,000 (in 2017). Comprehensive E12 and Higher Education Addresses many of our community s priorities in education Introduction of the bill later this week, early next week 3/20/2025 14
Thank You! Student Testimony: Violeta Hern ndez Espinosa Anthony Villagrana Violeta.hernandez@state.mn.us Cellphone: 651-592-8537 Stephanie Flores-Ortiz 3/20/2025 mn.gov/mcla
