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SOU advances ‘pathway’ programs for Hispanic, Indigenous students By Mail Tribune staff Updated: Nov 22, 2022 03:27 PM A A Students walk through Southern Oregon University's campus. [Jamie Lusch / Mail Tribune] After facing setbacks related to the coronavirus pandemic, several programs can continue to help Hispanic and Indigenous students stay on track toward high school graduation and enrolling at Southern Oregon University. A $250,000 grant approved by lawmakers will go toward the Pirates to Raiders program in the Phoenix-Talent School District, in addition to the Bulldogs and Hornets to Raiders programs in the Medford School District. The grant additionally will support several SOU programs, such as the Latino Family Day and Cesar Chavez Leadership Conference. The developments garnered high praise from Rachel Jones, SOU’s director of outreach and engagement, in a news release. “These programs and others across the state will receive significant needed support, thanks to the Legislature’s recognition that systemic inequities that Latino/a/x and Indigenous students have historically experienced must be addressed,” Jones said. “Our communities will benefit from the success of their students — and their future involvement throughout the region.” Depending on progress toward their goals, the programs could receive up to $200,000 per year more in legislative funding, the news release added. Students attending Talent Middle School and Phoenix High School are eligible to participate in Pirates to Raiders, whereas pupils at McLoughlin and Hedrick middle schools and North and South Medford high schools can participate in Bulldogs and Hornets to Raiders, respectively. While encouraging “partnerships between students, their families, their school districts and SOU,” the programs offer participating students mentoring, transportation to events to learn about SOU and financial aid information, as long as they sign a contract pledging to graduate on time. Prior to the pandemic, the programs had grown to about 375 students, who graduated at a rate 43% higher than the state when it comes to the Latino population. However, “the programs suffered through the pandemic, hurt by online-only instruction and staffing challenges in their host school districts,” according to the news release. With the latest grant funding, Jones said she believes the programs will get a much-needed shot in the arm. That is because the new grant will have new project coordinators supporting Hispanic students at the host schools, as well as increased mentoring, tutoring and workshops.