Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Puerta al Futuro (Gateway to the Future) is pleased to present an AA/BA program for traditional-aged Latino students entering university for the first time.

The Latino Promise Program is an integral part of the FDU Latino Education Pipeline Project. It offers a liberal arts education in two phases: for those who would not meet FDU’s regular admissions criteria, the Latino Promise Program offers a two year, 60-credit associate’s degree program with an opportunity to transfer into a bachelor’s degree program upon successful completion of the AA degree. For those who meet admissions standards at the outset, the Latino Promise Program offers direct enrollment in the four year, 120-credit bachelor’s degree program in math, science, technology.

The Latino Promise Program overcomes traditional barriers to higher education for Latino students by providing encouragement, inspiration, and access to college – and then ensuring student success through a variety of innovative support tools unique to FDU.

The need:  New Jersey’s Latino population is large and rapidly growing; yet language, financial, and cultural barriers have suppressed the college aspirations of many Latino youth and young adults.  Nationally and in the region, Latinos lag behind members of other racial/ethnic groups in college attendance and completion rates.  To support individuals seeking to reach their full potential, healthy communities, and the economic development of New Jersey and beyond, it is important to address this gap and foster greater educational attainment in Latino communities. The Latino Promise Program – along with the whole Latino Education Pipeline Project, FDU’s suite of educational initiatives serving the Latino community from early childhood through adult and lifelong learning – helps to meet this challenge.