The Hampton University University College (HUUC) recently launched an initiative to reach out to and increase the enrollment of Hispanic and Latino students, school officials announced.

The goal of the Hispanic/Latino initiative, spearheaded by HUUC, the branch of Hampton University that caters to continuing education and non-traditional students, is to create cultural awareness on campus and among local communities.

"Our nation has arrived at a very important moment in our society where achieving diversity and inclusion in an era of transformation is key to the growth of the Hispanic population in Hampton Roads," Dr. Almarie Munley, dean of HUUC, said in a statement. "Hampton University- University College recognizes the contributions made and the important presence of the Hispanic/Latino population in our learning communities."

An internal steering committee comprised of faculty, administrative staff and students will guide this effort. Furthermore, two new positions are being created as a result of the initiative -- a Hispanic Liaison and a Coordinator of Hispanic Outreach and Student Programs/Bilingual Recruiter. Both will work in collaboration with Munley and Alisha Foster, director and project lead for the Hispanic Initiative.

Last month, HUUC organized the first Hampton University Hispanic/Latino Initiative Think Tank which hosted leaders from various Hispanic organizations across the State of Virginia and beyond, including Virginia Latino Higher Education Network(VALHEN), Hampton Roads Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (HRHCC), Esperanza College from Philadelphia, Colonial Williamsburg Latino Association, Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations (VACALAO), Hispanic Advisory Board of Newport News, Scholarship Sharing Organization for Hispanics, and National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC).

"As with all we do at HU and HUUC we want to uphold the standard of excellence, and that means broadening the scope of what we do and what we offer to all students," Foster said. "Diversity matters to us at HU and we want to show that in all our efforts."

Some of the immediate goals of this program is to increase access to programs at HU for the Hispanic markets, offer Hispanic scholarships, provide a progressive and innovative approach to educating Hispanic communities, and support the fast growing Hispanic communities across the United States

The initiative will be headquartered at 11817 Canon Blvd. in Newport News, but will serve all of HU.