LAWA and Belmont Abbey College partner to help close Latino academic achievement gaps
LAWA (Latin Americans Working for Achievement) and Belmont Abbey College announced today a new partnership to help Latino students from low-to-moderate income families by matching scholarship grants for LAWA students attending the college, doubling their award. The new program recognizes that finances are often a barrier to education and helps Latino families in the Charlotte Region gain access to high-quality post-secondary career opportunities. In partnership with LAWA, Belmont Abbey will also host a workshop dedicated to helping students with FAFSA and making college more accessible. The workshop is part of the inaugural High School series and will take place on Belmont Abbey’s campus on December 9th.
“We feel incredibly grateful to Belmont Abbey College for partnering with us,” said LAWA Executive Director Ana S Rey. “Our partnership will allow our organization to reach more Latino homes in Gaston County.” LAWA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the education and quality of life for the Latino community in the Charlotte region through scholarships and career-readiness programs. Through collaboration with community organizations, LAWA offers Youth scholarship programs and High School Series workshops to U.S. Latino high school students that might not see college as a possibility.
The initiatives with Belmont Abbey College aim to close Latino academic achievement gaps, improve Latino high school graduation rates, and increase the number of Latino students who pursue and complete post-secondary study in Gaston County. These efforts are crucial, as the majority of LAWA scholarship recipients are first-generation college students.
“At Belmont Abbey, we’re excited about the opportunity to positively impact our local Latino community by providing them with a liberal arts education that prepares them—mind, body, and spirit—to pursue the good for themselves and their communities,” said Martin Aucoin, Vice Provost and Dean of Admissions at Belmont Abbey College. “We welcome the talents of everyone, from any background and tradition, who is committed to fostering the development of the whole person and contributing to the mission of the college.” The initiative with LAWA aligns with Belmont Abbey’s aim to offer an environment where students can work towards their full potential.
About LAWA: LAWA is a 501©3 nonprofit charitable organization serving Mecklenburg and adjacent counties. The organization’s mission is to advance the education and quality of life of Latinos in the Charlotte Region through scholarships, academic, and cultural programs. www.lawanc.org
