Norco College (NC), a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), is proud to announce that it has been awarded a $2,995,765 Title V grant to fund the Échale Ganas initiative. This five-year project, aimed at significantly increasing the academic success of Hispanic/Latinx and low-income students, will enable Norco College to enhance institutional capacity, provide culturally responsive support, and improve student outcomes across various measures of success.

The Échale Ganas project will help Norco College transform from a Hispanic-enrolling institution into a Hispanic-serving institution by addressing key barriers that prevent students from achieving their educational goals. The program is tailored to meet the unique needs of the college’s highly diverse population, where over 58% of students are Hispanic/Latinx and 64% receive need-based financial aid.

The program will focus on key activities designed to foster student engagement, persistence, and completion. Among the initiatives are:

  • Outreach programs targeted to Hispanic/Latinx students and their families.
  • Enhanced use of financial aid resources to offer two years of free education.
  • A Summer Bridge Program to ease the transition from high school to college for Hispanic/Latinx students.
  • A comprehensive First Year Plus experience featuring educational advising, career exploration, and transfer support.
  • Faculty professional development focused on improving outcomes in first-year math and English courses.

The Échale Ganas initiative is designed to achieve measurable outcomes, including increased Hispanic/Latinx enrollment, persistence from the first to second semester and from the first to second year, completion of transfer-level math and English in the first year, and transfer rates to four-year institutions.

Dr. Monica Green, President of Norco College, praised the grant as a transformative opportunity for the institution:

"The Title V Échale Ganas grant marks a pivotal moment in Norco College’s journey to truly serve our Hispanic/Latinx and low-income students. This grant will allow us to make significant strides in eliminating barriers to success and providing the resources our students need to excel. We are committed to fostering an environment where every student can achieve their full potential, and Échale Ganas will be the catalyst for that change."

This grant was made possible through the efforts of Dr. Gustavo Oceguera and Kurrinn Abrams, who worked tirelessly to secure funding. The Échale Ganas initiative will run from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30 over the course of the five-year grant period.

Over the next five years, the college will receive $599,000 annually from The U.S. Education Department (ED) to support students from the Hispanic community, as stated by the CCDaily News. This significant funding will be directed towards initiatives that aid in overcoming academic and financial barriers, ensuring that Hispanic/Latinx students are better supported throughout their educational journey. The funding comes as a crucial resource for the institution, given its diverse student body and the financial challenges faced by a large portion of its community.

The college’s student demographics mirror the surrounding region, with Hispanic/Latinx students representing over 58% of the student population in the 2021-2022 academic year. However, 64% of students rely on need-based financial aid, and only 16% attend full-time, which presents significant obstacles to academic success. Many students, particularly those who are low-income, first-generation college attendees, or both, face additional challenges due to the demands of balancing work, home responsibilities, and school. Without sufficient support, this juggling act can often lead to postponed or even abandoned educational pursuits.

About Norco College

Norco College is a public, two-year institution located in Riverside County, California, dedicated to serving the region’s diverse population. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, NC is committed to providing equitable access to higher education, fostering academic excellence, and empowering students to achieve their educational and career goals.