Hispanics in Olympia, among other immigrant communities, can face many obstacles when it comes to being successful and supported throughout school. Those obstacles include language barriers and systemic challenges. There are specific challenges in Olympia, such as immigration status and socioeconomic factors.
According to the Pew Research Center, Hispanic individuals have the lowest educational attainment in the United States compared to other racial groups. Hispanics are the nation’s largest minority group, making up 15% of the United States population. Pew also states that 41% of Hispanics ages 20 and older in the United States do not have a regular diploma, versus 23% of comparably aged Black people and 14% of White people.
Language barriers are an obstacle when it comes to education for Hispanics. English language proficiency varies within the community. According to Congress.gov, 36% of Hispanics in the United States are bilingual, 25% mainly use English, and 38% mainly use Spanish. Among those who speak English, 59% are bilingual; children of immigrant parents are most likely to be bilingual, often serving as translators for their non-English-speaking parents.
Cultural differences can also be an obstacle. Some Hispanic families may have cultural beliefs or values prioritizing family or economic needs over continuing education. According to AP-OD’s National Latino Family Report 2023, 55% of Hispanic and Latino families rely on a family member for child care. For some, babysitting a younger sibling(s) may come before education.
Immigration status can also be a factor, as some students may be undocumented and face additional obstacles in accessing educational resources and support. Socioeconomic challenges can also affect a student’s ability to focus on their education, including, but not limited to, financial constraints. These constraints may limit their ability to afford transportation, test fees, and other essential class expenses.
Specialized programs for Hispanic students and other marginalized communities are becoming increasingly common and are being offered in schools to help ensure their academic success. Located in Olympia is South Puget Sound Community College, where 14.9% of its students identify as Hispanic or Latino, resulting in a total percentage of 32.14% non-white students.
In 2018, the Ignite program was launched at South Puget Sound Community College. The Ignite program helps students whose identities have historically faced systemic barriers in higher education succeed by offering a community and support services to help them navigate college and graduate. The program offers extensive support and access to resources such as a peer mentor, quarterly textbook support, hardship grants, and a community dedicated to helping you succeed. Ignite is not federally funded but rather supported by grants and state funds.
Jasmin Faulk-Dickerson, the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at South Puget Sound, says the program currently has about 262 students enrolled. Students are encouraged to select their self-identification, but it is optional, so many choose not to disclose. While there are no accurate statistics, Faulk-Dickerson states that she can safely say, at the very least, a third of their students identify as Hispanic.
The Ignite program provides several resources to support students’ success in both their academic and personal lives. Faulk-Dickerson says that they offer community and support services to help students get through college and graduate. Some of their resources include book loans for each quarter, laptop loans, as well as access to grants and scholarships. Additionally, students are eligible for a monetary merit award after completing 45 credits and another upon graduation. They also have Peer Mentors who assist students and check in with them regularly, visits from several campus resources such as personal support, student life, athletics, career planning, etc., early registratio,n and a variety of events and activities to promote cultural awareness and better understanding of how to overcome barriers and challenges.
To support first-generation college students, the Ignite program provides immediate assistance by connecting them to the programs and services on campus specifically designed for first-generation students. This includes academic advising, financial aid planning and support, mental health counseling, personal support, and basic needs. They also provide opportunities for workshops such as financial health, college, and campus visits for students interested in transfer, as well as career fairs.
Since Faulk-Dickerson became the program director in 2022, the program has seen a very high graduation rate. Recently, the statistics indicated a graduation rate in the 8-% range, while retention is closer to 90%. When asked if the program seemed to be creating change for students facing barriers and setting them up for academic success. Faulk-Dickerson states that the Ignite programs and similar initiatives have been instrumental in supporting students in higher education. Creating a wrap-around service program designed to support students in various aspects of their personal and educational lives has proven beneficial and conducive to achieving their goals.
Melanie Rodriguez is a second-year student at the University of Washington in Seattle. She is a part of the Journalism and Public Interest Communication major and works as a photojournalist for UW’s school newspaper, The Daily.
Melanie was one of the students in the “Media Responsibility in a Diverse Society” class, taught by Hugo Balta. Balta is the publisher of Washington Latino News.