Woodbury University's School of Architecture has been selected as one of only three "Examples of Excelencia" (examples of excellence) in a national initiative to identify and honor university programs and departments boosting Latino college enrollment, performance, and graduation.
A new breed of architects is represented at Woodbury's School of Architecture, where more than 40 percent of students are Latino. This trend is especially significant given changing demographics in Southern California and the country as a whole.
Now a national organization,
Excelencia In Education, is recognizing Woodbury's undergraduate architecture program for its strong record of serving Latino students.
Woodbury's School of Architecture provides a global academic experience for its students, more than 40 percent of whom are Latino. By integrating international study programs in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, one of the program's main focuses is embracing the cultural and academic diversity of its students.
First-year retention rates for Latinos in the program surpass the university average by almost 5 percent, and 90 percent of Latino students graduate within five years.
"This is a proud moment for the entire university as we continue towards academic excellence," says
Norman Millar, director of the School of Architecture, Woodbury University.
The Washington, DC-based Excelencia in Education promotes evidence-based practices that support greater success in higher education for Latino students.
Each year, it identifiies three programs in the United States with strong records of serving Latino students - one each at the graduate, baccalaureate and associate levels of higher education.
The bachelor of architecture program at Woodbury University was selected this year at the baccalaureate level. The graduate program selected is the Intellectual Entrepreneurship Program at University of Texas, Austin. The associate program is the nursing program at South Mountain Community College in the Phoenix area.
Each program received a check for $5,000 at the recent Celebracion de Excelensia in Houston, Texas, and will participate in the Examples of Excelencia panel at the annual conference of the National College Access Network.
In March, a representative from Woodbury's School of Architecture will be invited to Washington, D.C., for a congressional presentation.
In addition, the 2008 edition of "What Works for Latino Students: Examples of Excelencia Compendium" will describe in detail how Woodbury and the other recognized programs achieve positive results and will suggest ways their strategies may be adapted for use in other communities.