SUMMER 2024

Hot off the summer press!

Aspire Summer Academy

The ASPIRE Summer Academy kicked off its 2024 5-week summer academy in July with forty-four enthusiastic middle schoolers. They have been learning about themselves and one another as they make new friends and discover new cultures. Using Adventure Challenge education, youth participate in STEM-related activities and a reading challenge on the topic of teen awareness and self-development using Renee Watson’s book Piecing Me Together. ASPIRE also increases literacy skills through an integrated approach using Photovoice/Digital Storytelling and STEM activities. The long-term goal is to help prepare students for college and career pathways by enhancing their output potential. 

LEI summer intern at the City Manager's office!

Victor Marrero and Worcester City Manager Eric Batista

Victor Marrero, a rising high school senior, has been a dedicated member of LEI’s Youth Civics Union (YCU) program since his freshman year of high school. He also participated in the ASPIRE Summer Academy as a middle schooler and is currently interning in the City Manager’s Office. In his internship, Victor is gaining practical experience in local government by assisting with administrative tasks, performing business outreach, promoting City programs, conducting research and data analysis, and providing excellent customer service. Victor has been a wonderful student and an incredible leader during the YCU program, consistently demonstrating his commitment to civic engagement and community improvement.

We are thrilled to announce!

Funding from UMASS Memorial for the Promotoras de Salud!

This funding will help the Promotoras de Salud for the next 2-3 years achieve several goals: sharing health education in English and Spanish at Worcester Public Schools and community events, educating the public about nutritious food options, promoting healthy eating habits and their connection to learning, and facilitating access to government assistance for food insecurity.

Additionally, the Promotoras spent time at the Worcester Senior Center during the summer, engaging with older adults through presentations and craft projects.

Our beautiful new logo for the Promotoras de Salud!

The Promotoras de Salud have also been participating in Worcester's Out to Lunch event, a summer festival and farmers' market series held on six alternating Thursdays. This event features live performances, crafters, food vendors, and farmers' markets on the Worcester Common Oval. There, the Promotoras shared information about healthy diets, community activities, and educational and enrichment programs offered by LEI. They also welcomed Worcester City Manager Eric Batista to their table.

We always shine at the LEI!

Carmen Rosado LEI’s Family Engagement and Community Liaison has been chosen for the Faces of Worcester campaign. Carmen is “passionate about social justice, education, and health and loves empowering parents and community members to thrive.” (Faces of Worcester Facebook Post- June 25th). In addition, LEI is proud to announce that Carmen has been named the “2024 Commonwealth Heroine for the 17th Worcester District” by the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Furthermore, President Karen E. Spilka of the Massachusetts State Senate awarded Carmen an Official Citation honoring her “selfless contributions to the community.” 

The Latino Education Institute also received the Aubrey Reid Award, awarded by United Way of Central Massachusetts, for its years of excellent community service. The award was received by the leadership team of WSU President Barry Maloney, WSU Associate Vice President for University and Community Engagement Mary Jo Marion, and Maria A. Juncos Gautier, LEI Executive Director.

The emergence of a Hispanic Serving Institute!

As announced in our last LEI newsletter, Worcester State University (WSU) has been recognized as an Emerging Hispanic Serving Institution (eHSI) by HACU (Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities) and Excelencia in Education. Since the 1990s, the U.S. Department of Education has designated 600 colleges and universities as HSIs. This designation is an important recognition, as all HSIs get extra federal funding, about $200 million across all HSIs each year. Under Title V, or the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (DHSI) Program, the U.S. Department of Education has provided grant awards of up to $600,000.00 per year for five years!  Other entities that provide targeted funding to NHSs include the National Science Foundation and the US Department of Agriculture. WSU is on track to achieve this benchmark sooner rather than later, and the LEI can help WSU advance this process! 

According to Dr. Edgar Moros, Executive Director of Affirmative Action & Equal Opportunity / Chief Diversity & Equity Officer, “Worcester State has made significant gains as far as Hispanic/Latinx students are concerned. During the past twenty-five years, the LEI has been critical in supporting this population at WSU and throughout the city of Worcester and beyond. It will continue to be a critical supporting component for the university when we apply for official designation as an HSI, after reaching the required 25% Hispanic/Latinx FTE (full-time equivalent) undergraduate student population.”

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SAVE THE DATE!

LEI 25th Anniversary kickoff this fall!

Other upcoming events!

August 24th:

Family Academy Back-to-School with Worcester Public Schools.

September 14th and 24th:

Girls Symposium Empowering Girls: Financial Literacy and Leadership with the Center for Women and Enterprise

For times, locations, and more information, contact: Carmen Rosado, Family and Community Engagement Liaison at crosado@worcester.edu

Let's all rise together for the students we serve!

We are committed to continually enhancing our services for the Worcester community. To achieve this, we rely on your ongoing sponsorship, collaboration, and commitment to help us excel.

The LEI Team

We appreciate the commitment of our donors whose generous financial support in 2023-2024 has made it possible for us to carry out our mission!

City of Worcester * Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) * Department of Higher Education (DHE)* Fred Harris Daniels Foundation * Greater Worcester Community Foundation * Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives (MBI) * Springfield Empowerment Zone* UMASS Memorial Health * UniBank * United Way of Central Massachusetts * Women’s Initiative of United Way of Central MA * Worcester Public Schools