Esperanza College of Eastern University Opens New Wing, Focuses On STEM Education For Minorities
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Esperanza College of Eastern University officially opens a new wing, designed to provide math, science, and technology education to the largely minority population of Hunting Park in Philadelphia. The new wing was made possible by the award of a competitive Title V grant from the federal Department of Education, and also received funding support from Wells Fargo, Citizens, and Aetna.
Esperanza College is one of only two federally-recognized Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) in the state of Pennsylvania, and primarily serves Hispanic and other minority groups that have disproportionately low levels of academic and career achievement in the STEM fields. The new wing will help address this challenge and increase the numbers of Hispanic and African American students in these fields, by adding four new math or science-related concentrations to the college's portfolio of academic offerings, including: Accounting, Medical Assisting, Teacher Education – Science, and Teacher Education – Math.
The new facility contains six new classrooms, math and science laboratories, and a robust student development center that will provide more intensive supports to promote student success. It is Esperanza's goal to spur a widespread cultural shift in the Hispanic and other minority communities of Philadelphia, and to open up new access for minorities to STEM career paths.
Esperanza College was founded in 2000 by Esperanza (Nueva Esperanza, Inc.), the nation's premiere faith-based Hispanic community development corporation, and Eastern University. Esperanza College is a fully accredited, 2-year Associate's degree-awarding program that maintains an on-time graduation rate of 64% - over four times higher than comparable community college institutions. Almost 70% of Esperanza College graduates continue to pursue a Bachelor's degree. For more information about Esperanza College, please call (215) 324-0746 or visit http://esperanza.eastern.edu.
SOURCE Esperanza, Inc.
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