Nuvia Mendoza, a University of Colorado Boulder graduate student, created a pilot program offering Spanish-language orientation sessions for parents of incoming students [1, 2].
The initiative aims to remove linguistic barriers for families, ensuring that parents who do not speak English can actively participate in their children's transition to higher education.
Mendoza launched the pilot program in 2024 [2, 3]. The project provides two orientation sessions conducted entirely in Spanish [2]. These sessions are designed to guide parents through the complexities of university life, from financial aid to campus resources.
The motivation for the program stems from Mendoza's own history at the university. She began her undergraduate studies in 2016 [1], a time when she lacked the specific orientation support now provided by her pilot program [1, 2]. By addressing this gap, Mendoza seeks to provide a more inclusive experience for current families.
The University of Colorado Boulder is located in Colorado, U.S. [1, 2]. The program targets the specific needs of the Spanish-speaking community within the university's broader student population.
Mendoza said the program was created to give parents an experience she did not have when she started college [1, 2].
“Nuvia Mendoza created a pilot program offering Spanish-language orientation sessions for parents.”
This initiative reflects a growing trend in U.S. higher education to expand 'family-centric' support for first-generation and immigrant students. By providing resources in Spanish, the university acknowledges that parental involvement is a critical factor in student retention and success, particularly for families facing language barriers.
