Purdue, IHETS launch variety of classes for Hispanics
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University, the Indiana Higher Education Telecommunication System (IHETS), Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey and the Mexican Consulate in Indianapolis on Wednesday (Feb. 22) will launch a partnership to benefit the state's Latino population.Through a pilot project funded by a grant from the Indiana Rural Development Council, Purdue Extension and IHETS will offer educational programming in Spanish for Latino communities in Noble, Clinton, Marion and Daviess counties.
A videoconference slated for 3:30 p.m. will provide details about the project. The videoconference can be viewed at the LEAP Center of Noble County; Learning Network of Clinton County; Purdue Extension office in Daviess County; Walker Career Center in Indianapolis; and in Lilly Hall, Room 3-113A, on Purdue's West Lafayette campus.
Sam Cordes, assistant director of Purdue Extension, said research shows that nearly half of all Hispanic males and 42 percent of Hispanic females come to Indiana without a high school diploma.
"Many of these immigrants are entrepreneurs and small business owners who could benefit from a college degree. Others are looking for more basic education," Cordes said. "But there's often a language barrier. This bridges that gap."
The learning centers offer a full spectrum of credit and non-credit distance education courses in Spanish. Students also may study for the English-language GED or complete a "bachillerato," a high school diploma, for admission to a Mexican University. Other programming includes computer courses, primary and secondary Spanish language literacy, and health and wellness courses.
CONTACTS: Kelli Selby, (765) 494-6876, cameronselby@purdue.edu; Sam Cordes, (765) 494-7273, smcordes@purdue.edu
Note to Journalists: Journalists are invited to attend this event. Please contact Kelli Selby at (765) 494-6876 to arrange for space.
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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