WASHINGTON, D.C.—On Thursday, April 28, 2016, NCLR (National Council of La Raza) will be joined by special guest Rep. Rubén Hinojosa (D–TX) for an afternoon briefing on Capitol Hill to discuss the state of Latinos in higher education, including the issues of retention and affordability. Currently, more Latinos than ever are seeking postsecondary degrees. In fact, in 2012, the Hispanic college enrollment rate among 18–24-year-old high school graduates surpassed that of non-Hispanic White students, according to Pew Research Center. While significant progress has been made, disparities persist in rates of degree completion; only one out of two Latino college students completes a degree within six years. 

In an increasingly globalized and competitive marketplace, more jobs and careers will require some form of postsecondary education. Projections show that by 2020, approximately 65 percent of employers will require a postsecondary education or certification. Latino students already represent one-quarter of America’s schoolchildren, and that number is expected to continue to climb. This is why it is critical for our community to understand and address the needs and challenges that Latino students face in obtaining postsecondary degrees.  

Media are invited to attend the afternoon panel and should RSVP to Camila Gallardo at cgallardo@nclr.org.