Castro to Serve as AASCU Team Leader
December 5, 2006
By Mimi Ko Cruz
Donald S. Castro, special assistant to President Milton A. Gordon, has been appointed by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities to serve as a team leader of the organization’s Study of Hispanic Student Success.
As a team leader, Castro is attending a Dec. 4-6 orientation session in Washington, D.C. At the session, team leaders from around the country are discussing and recommending changes to the original study’s protocol and report format to focus on what contributes to the graduation rate of Latino students at higher-learning institutions.
Once the revisions are made, colleges and universities will participate in the study. The AASCU plans to identify and visit university campuses that have “higher-than-average” graduation rates of their Latino student population to determine why those institutions are successful and what other campuses can do to improve their Latino student graduation rates.
The study, funded by $94,000 in Lumina Foundation for Education grants, will result in a publication that will be available to the public next fall.
The AASCU consists of more than 420 members who serve 3.7 million students. Founded in 1960, the nonprofit agency exists to analyze public policy and to advocate for member institutions and the students they serve; to promote appreciation and support for public higher education; to provide policy leadership and program support; and to create professional development opportunities for institutional leaders, especially presidents, chancellors and their spouses.
Produced by the Office of Public Affairs at California State University, Fullerton.