NJC Provides LA RAZA Field Trip for Local Students

Sixty students participated in the LA RAZA field trip sponsored by Northeastern Junior College’s Latino Education Achievement Recruitment Network take time for a group photo while in Denver for the event. (NJC Photo)

STERLING - Sixty members of the Northeastern Junior College’s Latino Education Achievement Recruitment Network (LEARN) organization attended the LA RAZA youth leadership conference in Denver. 

The NJC/LEARN field trip to Denver provided the attendees with opportunities for personal, educational and cultural growth. The first part of the day the students attended college and career workshops at the LA RAZA Conference on the Auraria Campus, and the later part of the day was spent at the Denver Museum of Art. The mission of the LA RAZA Leadership Conference is, “to provide young men and women with the skills they need to achieve their educational, economic and social potential.” Many of the students participated in the workshop, “Education – Your Road to Success”. It was the first time some of these learners had visited the Denver Museum of Art. The museum staff provided a short orientation after which the group broke into smaller groups of four or six for a tour of the seven story building. Sponsorship for this program was provided by NJC students, community members, and school representatives.   

The efforts of Northeastern Junior College/LEARN continue to grow and impact the Hispanic students at Sterling Middle School and Sterling High School. 

The program strives to provide proactive services for students to prepare them for success in high school and subsequently matriculate to college. At Sterling Middle School the efforts of the Early Outreach NJC/LEARN program have been early intervention to prepare students for the rigor of high school.

The NJC/LEARN organization was initiated in 2005 by NJC administration, recognizing the need to increase the number of local Hispanic/Latino students that attend NJC. An advisory council for this organization is composed of NJC students, community members, secondary school representatives, and NJC staff. It is coordinated through the admissions department by Pena-McCleave. Support for this program has been provided by NJC and community resources such as Logan County Workforce and Rural Solutions.