NVCC Provides Scholarship and Technical Career Exploration for NVCC Latina Students

Waterbury, Conn. – As the Hispanic youth population continues to rise steadily in Connecticut, Naugatuck Valley Community College is reaching out to Hispanic students and the local business community to connect two-year education with current business and industry employment demands.

With funding from the Connecticut Community Foundation, The Leever Foundation and the Naugatuck Savings Bank Foundation, the College is piloting “Building Success for NVCC Latina Students” this fall to help students earn an associate degree in engineering technology and move into well-paid and underrepresented careers, including electrical engineering, manufacturing, automotive technician and computer aided design.

NVCC is especially poised at this point in time to effectively address Hispanic student needs with its $35 million Technology Hall, which houses all of the College’s technology programs. In addition, the College is energized by the leadership of its new president, Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D., a native of the Dominican Republic, who has been at the forefront of this project among a number of other key initiatives.

“This project for Hispanic female students is dear to my heart,” said De Filippis. “When I first came to NVCC, I articulated my commitment to improving the College’s response to several pressing needs. My cabinet and the academic division directors have agreed that we must be innovative in advancing minority student success and are eager for this opportunity to help further the career aspirations of Hispanic female students.”

Employers of NVCC technical alumni will offer career exploration opportunities such as worksite visits, industry staff presentations and information on wages and benefits. The program will also address a number of graduation risk factors by providing one-on-one mentoring, group activities, technical career information sessions, visits from successful Hispanic women in technology, introduction to local technical employers and worksites, ESL immersion, tutoring in technical subjects and “early alert” services to ensure retention.

Students needing additional financial assistance with school expenses will have the opportunity to apply for government aid, NVCC scholarships and community scholarships, such as those offered by the Connecticut Community Foundation.

“A focal point of the community college mission is making connections in the local community between our businesses and our workforce,” said Waldemar Kostrzewa, dean of community engagement. “We can increase access to a career field that needs skilled workers. It’s a win-win for NVCC students and area employers.”

NVCC offers open admissions to anyone with a high school diploma. Students not academically ready for college-level work will be identified through placement testing and offered remediation in a wide range of subjects and skills, as well as tutoring opportunities throughout their college experience. The recently established Guaranteed Admissions Program will also help students gain entry into the University of Connecticut, Connecticut state universities and other local four-year institutions upon completion of 60 credits.

For more information or to register, contact program coordinator Sharyn Lopez at 203-575-8072 or slopez@nvcc.commnet.edu.