September 30, 2010

Student at HACU-member CSU featured in Spanish video

Last week, the U.S. Department of Education released a new video produced especially for Spanish-speaking families that shows how going to college is more attainable and more affordable than ever before.

The video profiles Samantha Hernandez, a sophomore at HACU-member institution California State University Dominguez Hills, and shows the support she receives as she pursues an education to attain her career and life goals.  Hernandez’s story is told in her own words, as well as those of her fellow students, faculty advisor, college president, and family members—all in Spanish.

The video shows her on campus and at home in South Central Los Angeles, where she lives with her mother and sisters.  The piece also documents the various kinds of support—financial and otherwise—that Hernandez receives to help her succeed and complete her degree. The video also demonstrates the critical role that the family can play in motivating young people to attend and succeed in the world of higher education.

Titled "La universidad: un sueño alcanzable" ("College: An Attainable Dream"), runs for approximately five minutes and is closed-captioned in Spanish and in English.  To watch, click the "cc" button and select the language option you prefer. You also can watch the video online at http://www.ed.gov/blog/2010/09/college-is-un-sueo-alcanzablean-attainable-dream/. You are encouraged to embed the video on your Web site and share with your Facebook, Twitter and other social media networks.