Event highlights higher education opportunities for Kansas Latino families

Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022 | Written by Megan Gould


OLATHE — This spring, an event for Latino students and their families spotlights the pathways to college and payment options for earning a higher education degree.

"Latinos Go to College" is from 10 a.m. to noon on March 26 online via Zoom.

This free, annual event is for high school students who are attending community college and are interested in transferring. Attendees receive information and resources about high school preparation programs, community colleges and universities.

Breakout sessions will cover how to prepare for college while in high school, how to pay for college including scholarships and financial aid and how to transfer from a community college to a four-year institution. The event will finish out with a virtual college fair with area colleges.

All information and resources will be available in both Spanish and English. Sessions will be recorded and available after the event on K-State Olathe's YouTube channel.

"It is important for students to feel prepared for the next chapter of their education," said Laura Loyacono, director of community and education engagement at K-State's Olathe campus. "Whether it’s high schoolers going onto college or community college students transferring to a four-year school, our goal is to make that transition as easy and accessible as possible."

Now in its third year, "Latinos Go to College" is a collaborative effort between K-State Olathe and post-secondary institutions and community partners across the state of Kansas.

Post-secondary collaborators include Johnson County Community College, Kansas City Kansas Community College, University of Kansas School of Health Professionals, KU Edwards Campus, Donnelly College, Fort Hays State University, University of Missouri Kansas City, Baker University, Western Governors University, Wichita State University, Wichita Tech, Graceland University, Research College of Nursing and Newman University. Community partners include the Hispanic Development Funds of Kansas City and Wichita, the Kansas State College Advising Corps, Arvest Bank, Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, El Centro, Kansas Workforce Partnership, Wyandotte Workforce Solutions, St. Paul's Catholic Church and the Olathe Chamber of Commerce.

Learn more at olathe.k-state.edu/universidad.