higher education and libraries

7/31/2019 Higher Education and Libraries

1/19

ACL COMMITTEE OF HIGHER EDUCATION &

LIBRARIES

Committee Leaders: Liliana C. Jofr and Liliana E. Rojas

Committee Co-Leader: Carmen Rojas Youth Members: Steven Acua

Sebastin Roa


2/19

Resident ExpertsBetty ValdsDirector, Learning Resources CenterCapital Area Campus Ana G. Mndez University System

Jonathan Jayes-GreenStudent Member, Board of TrusteesMontgomery College


3/19

OverviewHigher education and library services in

Montgomery County both are areas in which thiscommittee has found significant gaps incommunity access, both to information and toservices. Our experts agree that the needs of ourcommunity are vast and diverse, and they

welcome the creation of the Latino Civic Association (LCA) of Montgomery County and itscommitment to respond to these needs.


4/19

Betty Valds on Higher Education

1. What is the mission of the Ana G. Mndez University System andthe vision for its future and the future of the Latino Community of Montgomery County?

The mission of the Ana G. Mndez University System is to prepare

bilingual professionals for the demands of todays global economy.

Mrs. Valds shared her views about the important work the theuniversity is doing to help students from any cultures who want to become bilingual professionals. The university is global in its focusand a valuable resource for national and multinational companies,

organizations, and businesses looking for qualified bilingualprofessionals.

The university is also a conduit for our diverse local Latino community to grow in its higher-education goals, thereby increasing the positivecontributions to overall economic development.


5/19

2. What are the needs that the Ana G. Mndez University System hasidentified in the Latino Community, and how is it addressing them?

The Ana G. Mndez University System addresses the need of studentsfor bilingual higher education in the Washington Metropolitan Area.Some pertinent data about its enrollment and services are:

It serves a diverse community, 90 percent of which areLatinos.Its student body ranges in age from 18 to 74.It is the first and only university system offering academicprograms in dual-language format.It prepares bilingual professionals for todays job market.It teaches specific field of study terminology vocabulary.It helps students complete the requirements necessary to havetheir home-country titles validated in the United States.


6/19

3. Does the Ana G. Mendez University System provide financial aidand assistance to its students?

Ana G. Mndez University System does not directly offer scholarshipsto students. However, they provide assistance in securing financialaid. Students are encouraged to fill out the Free Application forFederal Student Aid (FAFSA). Financial Student Aid andDepartment of Education ensure financial aid for eligible students.

Financial Resources Available Include:

GrantsStudent loans at low interest rates Work-study programsFlexible payment plans


7/19

4. Does the Ana G. Mendez University System offer internshipprograms to their students?

Several academic programs require an internship orpracticum in order to successfully complete the degree.Students work closely with an academic advisor, theirfaculty advisor, and the Faculty Director to secure aninternship. In addition, there are several opportunitiesthroughout the year for individuals to participate ininternship and career fairs in order to secure a job orinternship.


8/19

5. What are the requirements to attend the Ana G. Mndez University?

There are really only three basic admissions requirements:

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Earned or attempted 24 credits at a postsecondary institution. Must be 23 years or older. Three years of work experience.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR MASTER'S DEGREES Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of 2.75 or 2.75 in

the last 60 credits. 23 years or older. Three years work experience. Three recommendation letters.

Interview.

However, if the student does not meet one or more of these requirements, he/she canparticipate in the Bridge program. There are no additional courses or costs.The Bridge Program is simply a transitional program. In order to study at the

Ana G. Mendez University System at the undergraduate level, the student musthave completed a GED or attained a High School Diploma.


9/19

Betty Valds on Public Libraries

6. To your knowledge, has there been a needs assessment study inMontgomery County to gather information about the Latinocommunitys library and information needs?

A general customer services survey was conducted in 2010.However, not enough efforts have been specifically directed to gather data on what types of library services would best serve the needs of the Latino community.


10/19

7. What programs and services are in place for the Latino community in the Montgomery County Public Librariesi.e., book fairs, book clubs, summer reading, literacy programs, donations, employment, volunteer programs, readers caf, librarians choice, otherprograms and/or events?

All of the services listed are available for all library users. However,there are some services available to Spanish-speaking patrons:

English conversation clubs A few story-telling programs in Spanish or bilingual Yearly events to celebrate Hispanic Heritage MonthNot often, but once in awhile the libraries have a book talk about aLatino author, but the discussion is not necessarily in Spanish


11/19

8. What are your thoughts about the role that ACL can play to involvethe community in accessing and expanding library programs andservices?

Mrs. Valds believes that ACL can be the vehicle andadvocate for breaching the gap in information and library services in our community. Until now, there has not beenan organization focused on education to promote the

services needed in our community. Mrs. Valds envisionsan alliance among all our media, especially radio andcable TV, to produce series of educational programscovering issues that affect education from birth until thecompletion of studies and the fulfillment of dreams.


12/19

9. The Literacy Council of Montgomery provides ESL services topersons whose first language is not English. Is there collaboration

between Montgomery County Public Libraries and the Literacy Council to provide literacy services to Latinos in our community who cannot read or write?

Not to Mrs. Valds knowledge. She is not aware of funds

from the Literacy Council being directed to any programsin collaboration with the Montgomery County PublicLibraries. The only services that are in place are ESLclasses to help adults learn English.


13/19

10. In your expert opinion, what are the major areas of need of theLatino community that the Montgomery County Public Libraries arefailing to address?

First, there must be an increase in recruitment and hiring of bilingual Spanish-English professional librarians and staff There should be an early childhood education component in

Spanish, just as there is in English.Technology support to include computer trainingi.e., Internet,e-learning, virtual libraries, webinars, and working inside thecloud, etc.Our community needs a lot of help understanding, learning, and

using technology. Training is essential to overcome thischallenge for our community. The lack of digital inclusion in ourcommunity could propel a detrimental and alarming dominoeffect negatively impacting the social, economic, educational and well being of our families and our society.


14/19

Jonathan Jayes-Green, Student Member,

Board of Trustees, Montgomery College1. What are the guidelines that the Montgomery College Board of

Trustees follow to determine a students eligibility for financialaid?

The guidelines for students to receive financial aid is not theresponsibility of the Board of Trustees. A committee hasestablished at Montgomery College for the disbursementof scholarship funds.

Any student can be a candidate to apply for financial aid.


15/19

.

2. What are the guidelines for the distribution of available funds?

To avoid conflict of interest, the MC committee in chargeof disbursement of scholarship funds is the responsible body.

A considerable amount of funds received are provided by private institutions. The Foundation Board and MCprograms both provide full aid. The Foundation Boardhas an application process that takes place in March- April.

MC academic programs are very competitive, andstudents are urged to apply in high school.


16/19

3. How does the Board disseminate information about availableresources?

It does not. MC has three outreach staff to provide servicesto the three campuses. They go to high schools to talk tostudents, coordinate parent outreach meetings, etc. Theinformation, however, does not reach as many students asis needed.

Mr. Jayes-Green shared his experience in a conference tomotivate high school students to learn how to apply tocollege, as well as the reasons to attend college, andinformation about available resources.


17/19

4. What measures are in place to encourage students to apply to obtainavailable funding to continue their college education beyond the

two-year associate degree?

Mr.Jayes-Green mentioned information disseminationas the main resource needed for students to be able toavail themselves of financial aid opportunities.

He suggested the need for a more aggressive approachto create pathways for students to learn the mechanicsof higher education in MC, and their options once theirstudies at MC have been completed.

C ti ti


18/19

Continuation..

5. How are entrance requirements established for transfer programs, careerand technical programs, and continuing education programs?

Policies have not changed in years, but there are discussionsabout the completion agenda from the Governor of Maryland. Only 14-18% completion rate, and MC has one of the highest graduation rates of all national community colleges.

MC serves a student population of 60,000+ students in threecampuses in Montgomery County and two satellite locations,one in Wheaton and the other in Gaithersburg. Each MC classhas an average of 20 students.

MC partners with The College Board and USG. Currently it is working on a transfer agreement with Johns HopkinsUniversity, as well as other partnerships with MCPS andMontgomery County.


19/19

Continued

MC has partnership with India. Because India ischanging the mass of their economy, they arefocusing on vocational schoolsi.e., MC. They areusing MC principles of access to quality education, looking into associate degrees thataccept transfer credits. There is a reciprocalprogram in the works. The focus is on automotivetechnology, hospitality management, andtourism.

The Germantown Multicultural Center offerscontinuing education classes, workforcedevelopment and non-credit courses.

higher education and libraries

Documents