Pasos Hacia el Futuro: Improving Achievement through Culture, Community and Care (PASOS)
The PASOS grant provides funding for College of the Mainland (COM) to bring transformative changes to the institutional culture both on campus and in the community to improve enrollment and retention trends for underrepresented Hispanic students and to foster a sense of inclusion for students, their families, and community members. COM will also strive to strengthen student support services surrounding work-based learning and mental health to increase educational outcomes and post-graduation success.
Institutional Cultural Changes
- Encourage belonging and inclusion
- Create community outreach programs
- Provide real-world learning equipment
- Develop new articulation agreements
Strengthen Student Support Services
- Increase proactive advising techniques
- Increase work-based learning support
- Provide additional mental health services
- Develop virtual New Student Orientation programming
PASOS Measurable Objectives:
- Objective 1.1: The number of degree-seeking Hispanic students enrolled at COM will increase 2% annually, from 1057 to 1116.
- Objective 1.2: Fall-to-fall retention rates for Hispanic students will increase by one percentage point annually, from 64% to 68%.
- Objective 2.1: The percentage of first-time-in-college (FTIC), Hispanic students enrolled at COM graduating within three years of enrollment will increase from 29% to 32%.
- Objective 2.2: The number of Hispanic students earning a workforce degree will increase each year by two percent, from 219 to 242.
PASOS Highlights
2023
Hispanic Heritage Month Kickoff
About 150 students attended Title V’s Hispanic Heritage Month Kickoff to explore diverse Hispanic cultures, share their own backgrounds, and make connections. After presentations from COM Spanish professor Rafael Naranjo and the Mexican Consulate’s Legal Affairs Representative Juan Carlos Hernández-Wocker, attendees enjoyed pupusas from a local restaurant and embraced the richness of COM’s campus diversity.
Latino Professional Panel
Title V hosted a panel of Latino experts with a wide-ranging experience in fields including higher education and medical. COM students took advantage of this invaluable opportunity to learn from accomplished community leaders as they spoke about their experiences and gave great advice on how to navigate the path towards achieving personal and educational goals. They also reminded attendees that aspirations extend far beyond the boundaries of College of the Mainland’s campus.
Motivational Speaker – Ovi Vasquez
National keynote speaker and author Ovi Vasquez shared with COM students how he went from a being a farm boy raised in a poor Central American village to working for renown corporations including Apple, Uber, Tesla and General Motors. After a dynamic presentation, he answered questions on classroom and career success, networking tips, and getting a head start on goal setting.
Loteria
COM students embraced the beauty of the Mexican culture by getting crafty with papel picado and playing a friendly game of lotería while enjoying each other's company during College Hour.
Community Outreach Library Events
Title V visited Moore Memorial Public Library, La Marque Public Library, Hitchcock Public Library and Mae S. Bruce Library for Día de los Muertos-themed events where children listened to a story and participated in a craft activity.
Fiesta Comunidad
Title V wrapped up Hispanic Heritage Month with Fiesta Comunidad, a vibrant community party showcasing diverse Hispanic cultures through musical and dance performances, delicious food, and community engagement. Over 800 attendees also witnessed a rare solar eclipse and participated in a trunk-or-treat hosted by COM departments and local community organizations.
2024
Dominican Independence Activities
COM students celebrated Dominican Independence Day with a series of engaging cultural activities across campus including educational crafts, hair care, cultural snacks, and dance classes to learn steps to traditional Dominican dances. This festive week was designed to honor and showcase the rich heritage and traditions of the Dominican Republic.
Tu Futuro: Latino Professionals and Their Path to Success
Title V hosted an inspiring panel of professionals featuring several prominent Hispanic community leaders who shared their personal journeys, achievements, and the college and career challenges that they have had overcome so that students could learn from them to plan for their own futures. Students and staff had the opportunity to hear firsthand accounts of perseverance, success, and the importance of cultural heritage.
Visual Arts Mural Project
The PASOS grant provided support to our art students for this year’s campus mural project. Each year, our talented students take on the exciting challenge of designing a new mural, incorporating a unique and creative vision while preserving an element from the previous year’s design. This initiative not only expands and enhances our visual arts program but also builds confidence and provides invaluable learning opportunities for our students, requiring teamwork, planning and critical thinking. We continue to build a vibrant and culturally rich campus community through projects such as this.
A Student’s Journey to Overcoming Barriers
As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, students gathered to hear an inspiring story of resilience and determination. One student shared her journey of navigating college life with a disability and managing her mental health. Following her heartfelt testimony, our Community Outreach Coordinator and Accessibility Coordinator discussed the stigma surrounding mental health in the Latino community, highlighting the importance of breaking barriers and seeking support. The event encouraged open conversations and fostered a sense of understanding and empowerment among attendees.
Belleza Latina
The Belleza Latina (DIY Beauty Workshop), part of Hispanic Heritage Month events, focused on teaching students how to create natural beauty products while exploring cultural traditions. Students and staff learned about the history and uses of achiote, a plant widely used in Hispanic/Latinx cultures, before making their own lip stain using achiote powder and coconut oil. This hands-on experience connected participants to Hispanic heritage and empowered them through cultural resilience and the role of tradition in beauty practices.
Fiesta Comunidad
Title V hosted it’s second annual Fiesta Comunidad on Saturday, October 12th which was a tremendous success, drawing in approximately 1100 attendees from both the campus and surrounding community. The event featured cultural artists and performances, a Trunk or Treat activity, free food, art activities, and bounce houses for children. This event was in conjunction with a Health Careers Open House and Community Health Fair, all aimed at fostering community engagement and promoting student resources. Our volunteers and staff worked tirelessly to create an inclusive, fun, and educational atmosphere.