White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics

NAMES GIRLSTART A “BRIGHT SPOT IN HISPANIC EDUCATION”

WHITE HOUSE INITIATVE ON EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE FOR HISPANICS NAMES GIRLSTART A “BRIGHT SPOT IN HISPANIC EDUCATION”

(AUSTIN) – Today, the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics announced Girlstart was named a Bright Spot in Hispanic Education. The designation, given to Girlstart for its investment in key education priorities for Hispanics, is tied to the release of an online national catalog to identity notable Hispanic-serving institutions.

According to the Initiative’s announcement, timed for the commencement of Hispanic Heritage Month, the catalog is being published “to leverage these Bright Spots to encourage collaboration between stakeholders focused on similar issues in sharing data-driven approaches, promising practices, peer advice, and effective partnerships, ultimately resulting in increased support for the educational attainment of the Hispanic community, from cradle-to-career.”

“We’re honored to be recognized by the Initiative for the work we’re doing with Latina students throughout the nation,” said Tamara Hudgins, executive director for Girlstart. “Be it our work in Central Texas, our national outreach via the Girlstart ‘to Go’ program, or our expansion of after school programs in Central Texas, Houston, and the Rio Grande Valley, it’s been important for us to inspire young Latina students toward futures that involve STEM studies.”

More than 230 organizations across the nation are included in the catalog, reviewable on the Initiative’s website, www.ed.gov/HispanicInitiative. (You can find Girlstart’s entry via this bitlink: www2.ed.gov)

ABOUT GIRLSTART

Girlstart, founded in Austin in 1997, is the only community-based informal STEM education nonprofit in the nation specifically dedicated to empowering and equipping girls in STEM, through year-round programming that promotes girls’ early engagement and academic success in STEM, encourages girls’ aspirations and persistence in STEM education and careers, and incubates a talented and diverse STEM workforce. Its innovative, nationally-recognized programs include after-school and summer camps for students, professional development for teachers, and community and online STEM education outreach programs. Girlstart cultivates a culture where risk is rewarded, curiosity is encouraged, and creativity is expected. As a result, Girlstart girls are connected, brave, and resilient. Girlstart makes girls more successful, and inspires them to take on the world’s greatest challenges.