Information fair for Latino students, families May 9

MOSES LAKE - The information fair for prospective students and parents of Hispanic descent is scheduled for May 9. The Educate @ Big Bend Latino Education Fair will be from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at the ATEC building on the BBCC campus.

"The evening hours allow parents and working people to participate," said Doug Sly, the college's public information officer. Admission is free. In 2013 the education fair drew about 200 people, he said.

The keynote speaker will be Mario Godoy Gonzalez, science and ESL instructor at Royal High School. He has been teaching at Royal for 20 years, was one of the teachers involved in developing the school's STEM Academy, and advisor of the robotics and SMART teams, Sly said.

Events scheduled include workshops for financial aid and academic support services, Sly said. Parents and high school students can learn about the Running Start program, which allows high school juniors and seniors to take college classes for dual credit. Information will be available looking for English as a Second Language classes, GED or ABE instruction, or citizenship classes. One workshop will review the options available in the college's professional-technical program.

Another workshop is dedicated to undocumented students.

About 80 percent of the BBCC student body and 94 percent of its Hispanic population are "first generation students," which means they would be the first in the family to earn a bachelor's degree, Sly said.

"First generation students have a more difficult time navigating college because sometimes it's a different culture, a new set of rules, and they don't have anyone in their family who can guide them through the process," said Rita Ramirez, the college's outreach coordinator. The education fair provides information families and students will need to help them achieve success in college, she said.

That includes information on admission, getting financial aid and applying for scholarships, she said. Information booths will detail requirements for degrees that can be transferred to four-year colleges, Sly said. Other booths highlight the college's course offerings and various support services. Some four-year universities will be sending representatives.

The college is designated a Hispanic Service Institution; college enrollment is 35 percent Hispanic, Ramirez said.

People who want more information can contact Ramirez, 509-793-2072.