Success for Latino Students

This spring, Idna Corbett joined 75 other educators to conduct a nationwide Hispanic Student Success Study for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. The panel examined best practices that led to strong or increasing graduation rates for Latino students at 11 public universities.

Corbett served as editor for her seven-person team, compiling the team’s observations on their visit to the University of Texas/Arlington, which had doubled the number of Latinos graduating over three years.

In order to participate, team members completed evaluations of their own campuses. Corbett’s research indicated that West Chester’s number of enrolled Latino students has increased by 61 percent since the fall 2000 semester. The six-year graduation rate for Latinos here compares favorably with that of the general student population: 58.1 percent to 59.1 percent.

The study concluded that “the integration of retention initiatives among all divisions, as well as establishing close connections with the Latino community, are essential to achieving greater success among Latino students.”

Corbett, who is interim dean for Undergraduate Studies and Student Support Services and professor of Educational Development, teaches in the Honors College.