Sonoma State University, recognized as a Hispanic Serving Institution, has been awarded two significant U.S. Department of Education (ED) grants totaling over $5 million. These grants will help enhance the preparation and success of diverse students in teaching, nursing, and health professions.
EDUCA: Diverse Educators United for Growth and Learning
Sonoma State received $3.18 million from the prestigious Augustus F. Hawkins Center of Excellence Program, aimed at increasing and retaining well-prepared teachers from diverse backgrounds. This funding will allow the university to offer scholarships, cultural competency training, and mentorship programs for students in teacher credential programs, with a special focus on rural education and bilingual teaching.
“Our goal is to extend teacher preparation programs to rural communities and offer support to bilingual teachers,” said Laura Alamillo, Dean of the College of Education, Counseling, and Ethnic Studies at Sonoma State.
PUERTA Project Grant
The second grant, a $2.73-million award from the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (DHSI) Program, will fund Sonoma State’s “Preparando Hispanic Estudiantes Realizando Their Ambitions (PUERTA) 2.0” project. This initiative focuses on increasing Hispanic student enrollment in pre-professional health, nursing, and teaching pathways, offering mentorship programs, academic support, and hybrid learning opportunities.
These initiatives will build career pathways for underrepresented students, fostering diversity in professions that are vital to community health and education.
