Elmhurst University community expresses appreciation for HSI grant

When Vice President of Equity and Inclusion Bruce King found out that Elmhurst University was awarded a $3.4 million grant, he felt affirmed for the work he did as part of the Title V Grant Working Group that created the proposal for the grant. 

“It never hurts to bring in a $3.4 million grant, so it’s exciting,” King said. 

Professor Beatriz Gomez-Acuña, who was also part of the Title V Grant Working Group, felt similarly.

“I felt validated that the State Board of Education believed in our vision for our Hispanic/Latino and underserved students,” said Gomez-Acuña in an email to The Leader.

The grant — which EU became eligible to apply for after being designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution — will be used to support Hispanic/Latino and underserved students and create a Center for Excellence and Achievement. 

King described the vision for the Center for Excellence and Achievement as a “safe, soft landing” that can connect students and their families with the services they need.

King added that the center will not replace existing services — rather, it will serve as a place for students to get quick questions answered and be able to receive some academic and social support services. 

King also noted that the center will serve as a space for students and their families to physically gather for community events. He said it will likely include a kitchen and be a space that can, “make a bridge for families and communities.” 

According to an announcement sent by President Troy VanAken on Oct. 7, other goals of the grant include building upon the first-year seminar program, hiring additional staff, providing faculty training for incorporating cultural knowledge into curriculums. 

The grant will also establish funding for “high impact” opportunities such as study away, internships, research, and service learning. 

Professor Beatriz Gomez-Acuña explained the benefits of funding high-impact programs for Hispanic/Latino and underserved students in an email to The Leader.

“This grant will ease the financial burden and allow more students to benefit from these transformative academic opportunities,” Gomez-Acuña said. 

EU junior Adrian Cortez expressed contentment with the grant. As a member of the Latinx community, he felt the grant was a good step forward in creating a more welcoming environment for Hispanic/Latino students. 

“Having that grant be an option now, I feel included,” Cortez said. “I feel that the school makes members of the Latinx community [feel] as though they matter.”

Photo by- Numair Younus