Grant encourages Latino students to pursue degrees in health care

The NMSU Foundation received a $250,000 two-year grant from Bank of America through its Progresando initiative, which focuses on increasing the number of Latino students in health fields and research.

Latinos face disproportionate barriers to access, availability and affordability of health care. In partnership with the education firm EAB, Bank of America selected 12 Hispanic-serving institutions for its Progresando initiative, which aims to increase representation and address the shortage of culturally sensitive, Spanish-speaking health providers.

“With Hispanic and Latino residents underrepresented in the health care industry, NMSU has many programs supporting this field of study to remove barriers and provide access, which is why the bank wanted to continue expanding their work through this investment,” says Paul Mondragón ’91, Bank of America New Mexico president.

The grant from Bank of America will help NMSU hire and train seven tutors who are graduate students or high-achieving undergraduates, and peer mentors to help 300 Hispanic and Latino students, about 150 per year. The grant also will help students purchase medical terminology translation software, made available in a student computer lab at NMSU’s School of Nursing, which will help students learn and feel more comfortable speaking complex terms in Spanish.

“There is a growing need for health care services throughout the country, and the Progresando initiative will help our students not only contribute to the need, but pave a successful path for future generations,” says Derek Dictson, former NMSU Foundation president.