Creating Partnerships Within the Latinx Community to Impact College Success

CREAR Futuros, “To Create Futures” in Spanish, is a college mentoring initiative focused specifically on supporting college persistence for Latinx students.

Hispanic Federation developed CREAR (College Readiness, Achievement and Retention) Futuros program in 2012 to address persistent systemic barriers that prevent many Latinx students from earning college degrees, resulting in the lowest college graduation rates of any major racial/ethnic group in the U.S.  The program began as a partnership between Hispanic Federation, City University of New York (CUNY), Latinx community-based agencies, New York State Department of Education, public-policy stakeholders, and business leaders to bring increased attention and resources to improving educational achievement and economic opportunity within the Latinx college community.

CREAR Futuros is currently operating on 8 college campuses across 4 states.  This includes Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC). The program annually targets 800 Latinx students, providing support and training to approximately 2,400 students since 2012. CREAR Mentors are successful Latinx college students who have demonstrated academic achievement, student leadership, civic engagement, and are committed to serving as role models within their campus Latinx community. The program provides encouragement and support for all participants. Campus Liaisons and participants form a strong network to cultivate college success.

CREAR Futuros is a “Community of Care” model program, helping to boost Latinx student GPA, retention, course completion, and graduation rates through the following direct, place-based supports: peer mentorship, leadership development, career mentorship,  internship opportunities, and connection to social services. At BMCC, students in this program develop their skills as mentors and leaders, providing an example for our incoming first-generation Latinx students.          

For more information about CREAR Futuros, visit https://www.crearfuturos.com/