CRANFORD, N.J., Sept. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Union College of Union County, NJ is announcing it has received a grant from Bank of America to elevate and accelerate the path for Hispanic students in targeted healthcare programs.

The two-year, $220,000 grant will support Hispanic-Latino students pursuing careers in healthcare through its Progresando Initiative. The program was created to help Hispanic-Latinos achieve upward economic mobility through careers in healthcare, while also helping to increase representation and address the shortage of culturally sensitive, Spanish-speaking health providers.

As part of the initiative, education firm EAB will provide research, technology, marketing, and advisory services to the participating institutions. Over the next two years, the initiative is projected to help more than 6,200 Hispanic-Latino students nationwide commit to healthcare related programs, doubling the current student rate.

The Progresando Initiative at Union aims to increase retention, course completion rates, and licensure pass rates for the Hispanic adult students in targeted healthcare programs such as Nursing, Physical Therapist Assistant, and Social Services. Progresando supports Union County's growing Hispanic population and the College's continued commitment to advancing non-traditional students toward high-demand careers. While nearly 40% of all Union College students are Hispanic, only 27% of students enrolled in the targeted healthcare programs are Hispanic. Moreover, despite high proportions of Hispanic residents within Union County and enrolled at the College, Hispanics represent approximately 20 percent of the county's healthcare workforce. The initiative will provide these students space to collaborate, receive resources, and access to various support networks to promote academic and career success. The initiative will focus on providing students with the following:

• Intensive cohort-based tutoring and test preparation;
• Emergency financial assistance in the form of stipends;
• A bilingual student services specialist who will serve as an advisor and mentor;
• Cultural events and activities at the Union campuses.

"At Union, we are proud to be a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution based on our enrollment of Hispanic students. Almost half of our students are Hispanic," states College President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin. "This is a valuable opportunity to help a large, underserved group in our community, specifically in the healthcare field, a field more necessary than ever. This will be a successful partnership and of great value to our community."

"By focusing on high-demand programs in the healthcare sector, Progresando helps create a pathway for Union County's Hispanic student population toward fulfilling careers," said Alberto Garofalo, President of Bank of America New Jersey. "Demand for healthcare services will only increase in the years ahead, and through this program, we are able to help Hispanic students be part of the solution and create brighter futures for themselves and future generations."

Beginning in the fall 2022 semester, Progresando will provide students with career pathways and opportunities in the healthcare industry. Thanks to the support of Bank of America, Union's Hispanic students in these programs will receive the help they need to continue their education and get the resources and support for their continued success.

The Progresando initiative is available for current and potential students. For more information about Progresando eligibility, please contact Dr. Elizabeth Ramos, Dean of the Elizabeth Campus and Institute for Intensive English at Ramos@ucc.edu.

Union College

Union College is a public comprehensive community college providing high-quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater Union County region. It is the first of New Jersey's 18 Associate Degree colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer- oriented students since 1933. Union was named as one of 25 semifinalists for the 2023 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. The College enrolls almost 20,000 credit, non-credit, and continuing education students and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Many programs lead to an Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, or an Associate in Applied Science degree. For more information, visit www.ucc.edu or check out the College's social media platforms, @UnionCollege_NJ on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.

Bank of America 

At Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), we're guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We're delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It's demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Connect with us on Twitter (@BofA_News).

For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts.

Reporters may contact:

Jaime Segal, Union County CollegePhone: 908.709.7501

Margaret Ortuso, Union County CollegePhone: 908.709.7054

AnnMarie McDonald, Bank of AmericaPhone: 332.234.8635annmarie.mcdonald@bofa.com

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SOURCE Bank of America Corporation