Growing Hispanic Dilemma

• Underserved Studentso 1st generationo Low incomeo Students of color

• High School or GED o White: 94%o Black: 88%o Hispanic: 71%

• College Degree o White: 39% o Black: 20%o Hispanic: 13%

Educational Attainment

1990 2000 20100%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Starr County Educational Attainment 25+1990 - 2010

Graduate or professional degreeBachelor's degreeAssociate degreeSome college, no degreeHigh school graduate*Some high school, no diplomaLess than 9th grade

68.4%

65.3%

16.76%16.9%

19.6%

14.7% 16.8%

26.6%

53.7%

27,719 33,269

8.2% 8.5% 12.5%

Source: US Census (2010)

19,616

Financial Impact• order)

An Overshadowing World

• College Attainment rising in every industrialized country in the World.

o US led all over last 4 decades

o Today some countries more

than 50% are degree holders

o More disturbing is all others continue to climb

Source: Organization for Economic Development and Co-operation (OECD) 2008

Starr County 12.5

Against All Odds

• In Starr County nearly 40% of residents live below poverty level

• Link to underachievemento Socio-economic issueso Budget shortfalls

• Impossible choiceso Pay Bills vs Education

High Aspirations• External Negative Factors

o Limited “preparedness”

o Educational Deficits

o Financial Constraints

• Internal Positive Traitso Unlimited “Vision”

o Determination Surplus

o Abundant Commitment

Fostering Hope• Living in an

“intangible economy”

• Success and Prosperity driven by knowledge

• The Dream