Another Garden State school is benefiting from Bank of America’s Progresando Initiative, which aims to help Hispanic-Latino students pursue careers in health care.
Union College in Union County received a two-year, $220,000 grant from Bank of America, the financial institution announced Sept. 13. As part of the initiative, education firm EAB will provide research, technology, marketing and advisory services for students.
Union College in Union County received a two-year, $220,000 grant from Bank of America. – UNION COLLEGE
In August, Saint Elizabeth University in Morristown earned a similar award.
According to Bank of America, the initiative aims to increase retention, course completion rates and licensure pass rates for the Hispanic students in health care programs such as nursing, physical therapist assistant and social services.
Nearly 40% of all Union College students are Hispanic, but only 27% of students enrolled in these targeted health care programs are Hispanic. Beginning in the fall 2022 semester, this initiative will support these students with:
- intensive cohort-based tutoring and test preparation;
- emergency financial assistance;
- a bilingual student services specialist who will serve as an advisor and mentor;
- cultural events and activities.
“At Union, we are proud to be a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution based on our enrollment of Hispanic students,” Union President Margaret McMenamin said in a statement. “This is a valuable opportunity to help a large, underserved group in our community, specifically in the healthcare field, a field more necessary than ever.”
Alberto Garofalo, president of Bank of America New Jersey, added, “Demand for health care services will only increase in the years ahead, and through this program, we are able to help Hispanic students be part of the solution and create brighter futures for themselves and future generations.”
The former Union County College rebranded as Union College in July.
