Mission

The Latino Education Institute (LEI) at Worcester State College seeks to improve academic achievement and the general well-being of Latino individuals and families in the Worcester area. The LEI accomplishes this by:

(1)   Provision of Outcomes-based Development Programs in education, literacy, leadership, civic engagement and health. In 2008, the LEI operated five programs serving 564 individuals.

(2)   Research and Policy Development. The LEI is frequently called on to provide expertise at the municipal and state level.  For example, we recently hosted a roundtable discussion with U.S. Congressmen James McGovern (D) and Latino students at Worcester State College to examine barriers to enrolling in higher education.  The findings are forthcoming.

(3)   Community Outreach.  The LEI is an important and active resource for the Worcester community.  Our recent community activities include, the establishment of a Stand for Children Chapter in Worcester, co-founding and operating the Latino Education Advocacy Partnerships (LEAP), and co-chairing a city-wide effort to improve services for middle school girls. 

Milestones

• The Worcester Working Coalition for Latino Students (WWCLS) was born in 1999 under the leadership of U.S. Representative James McGovern and the Honorable Judge Luis Perez to improve the academic achievement of Latino students. It included a community-wide representation of Latino leaders, community activists, religious representatives, students, parents, educators, organized labor, elected and appointed official, and the business sector.
• In October 1999 the first Massachusetts Summit on Latino Education was held at Worcester State College, sponsored by the WWCLS. Former Governor Paul Celluci, Commissioner of Massachusetts Department of Education, David Driscoll, the Chancellor of Higher Education Judith Gill, and representatives from the White House and U.S. Department of Education attend the event.
• In 2000, the Coalition published “A Call for Action” outlining strategies to improve educational outcomes for Latinos.  One of these actions was the development of a Latino Education Institute.
• In 2000, the Latino Education Institute is born when Worcester State College offers a building to serve as the official home of the Institute and provides a half-time position.
• In 2001, the Fuller Foundation provides the first grant to the LEI to establish innovative programs for Latino students.
• In 2002, the Kellogg Foundation provided a one million dollar award to advance the development of a Latino school-college pipeline.
• In 2002, the LEI hosts a statewide conference entitled ‘A dialogue about the MCAS test: Its impact on Latino Students and Their Families.”
• In 2005, the Fourth State Wide Conference, Building Pathways to College for
  Latino Students, is held.
• In 2006, the Massachusetts legislature under the leadership of Harriet Chandler instituted a line item to fund the work of the LEI as part of the general funding for Worcester State College, thus providing critical permanent operating funds for the LEI.
• In 2008, the LEI moves into a new house located at 537 Chandler Street provided by the generosity of the Worcester State College Foundation.