Institution University of Houston-Downtown State Texas Academic Level Baccalaureate Issue Area Retention Website https://www.uh.edu/class/cmas/programs-opportunities/aap-uh/ Key Personnel Fely Aguilar Program Focus College Prep Overview The Academic Achievers Program aims to propel Latino students to graduation by providing them with scholarship, mandatory tutoring, mentoring, skills workshops and leadership training. The Academic Achievers Program is designed to increase the number of Latino students who graduate from college and prepare them to assume leadership positions and become role models at the university and in the community. Program Description The Academic Achievers Program (AAP) was created by the Center for Mexican American Studies (CMAS) to increase the educational attainment level of the Latino community and increasing the number of Latino students who attend and graduate from the University of Houston (UH). Of Latinos in Houston, only about 12% have a bachelor’s degree or higher compared to 57% of their white peers. By creating a community, AAP fosters a sense of familia to help students succeed at UH.AAP provides an annual $3,000 scholarship, academic tutoring, time management support, mentoring, career and internship guidance, leadership retreats and community service opportunities. Students are embedded in the CMAS familia. They take at least one course in Mexican American & Latino studies and gain access to guest speakers, workshops, role models, mentors, nationally known scholars, and events. Outcome Since 1996, AAP students had an average six -year graduation rate of 67% compared to 39.3% for non-AAP UH Latino students.AAP-UH students average a GPA of 3.26, compared to UH Latinos averaging a 2.82 GPA and UH overall average GPA of 2.90. 67% of students obtain a bachelor's degree within 4 to 6 years and 30% obtain post-baccalaureate degree.Graduates are teachers, principals, engineers, doctors, architects, accountants, and a state representative. Learn more about Latino College Completion in Texas Return to Growing What Works Database
