The AZ HSI Consortium is pleased to announce the Project Outreach FAMILIA (Forwarding Academic Mechanisms Integral to Learning In the Academy) as an AZ HSI Evidence Based Practice. After careful review from colleagues across the state of AZ, the Project Outreach FAMILIA (Forwarding Academic Mechanisms Integral to Learning In the Academy) was shown to be an effective program in moving the needle towards greater college access, persistence, retention, transfer, and degree attainment for Latinx students in Arizona.
Please read below to learn more about the Project Outreach FAMILIA (Forwarding Academic Mechanisms Integral to Learning In the Academy) at the University of Arizona.
Overview of Institution
The University of Arizona (UA) is a public Research 1, land-grant institution and the only four-year Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) in Arizona, serving both the state’s diverse southern regions and northern Mexico. As an HSI, UA is deeply committed to expanding access and promoting success for Hispanic and low-income students, aligning with its mission to foster educational equity and opportunity across the region.
With a student body of over 46,000, including many first-generation, Pell-eligible, and Hispanic students, UA offers a full spectrum of undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees, making it a vital educational resource in southern Arizona. In Tucson, where UA is located, Hispanic enrollment in local high schools ranges from 25% to 92%, with four high schools—each with at least 51% Hispanic enrollment—serving as critical partners in UA’s outreach initiatives. Through Project Outreach FAMILIA, UA collaborates with these schools to offer dual enrollment courses in pre-calculus, helping students prepare for college-level STEM pathways and enhancing college readiness.
UA’s focus on educational equity is further demonstrated by its 2018 Strategic Plan, which prioritized HSI initiatives and emphasized community engagement. These initiatives include Project Outreach FAMILIA, which partners with local high schools to boost college readiness and enrollment among underserved students, and engages family members through bilingual workshops on financial literacy and college preparation, fostering a multi-generational approach to educational success.
UA has earned national recognition for its work in supporting Hispanic students. In 2016, Excelencia in Education recognized UA’s College Academy for Parents in their What Works Database for its effective support of Latinx college completion. Project Outreach FAMILIA now uses components of this curriculum to involve families, reinforcing the importance of family engagement in students' educational journeys. In 2020, UA received the prestigious Seal of Excelencia, acknowledging its dedication to enrolling, retaining, and providing financial support for Hispanic students, while promoting Latino representation across administration, faculty, and staff.
In alignment with its land-grant mission, UA has institutionalized a range of student support programs that address the needs of Arizona’s diverse population and promote inclusive teaching practices to support varied learning styles. Strategic roles were established to advance these goals, including an Associate Director for HSI Initiatives in 2019 and an Associate Vice Provost for Faculty Development in 2020. These roles focus on connecting students with HSI-related opportunities and fostering equity-focused recruitment, hiring, and retention, as well as enhancing faculty development in teaching, research, and service.
UA’s commitment to serving Arizona’s Hispanic and underserved communities through intentional outreach and support reflects its role as a leader in addressing the region's educational needs and its ongoing dedication to creating pathways to success for all students.
Overview of Program
Project Outreach FAMILIA, launched in 2020 with Title V funding, aims to increase college enrollment and degree attainment among Hispanic and low-income students in southern Arizona. This initiative is rooted in evidence-based practices that drive its multi-faceted approach to college readiness. The project’s core program, the “Los Gatos Hispanic Serving Pathway,” enhances college outreach in high Hispanic-enrollment high schools and expands dual enrollment opportunities in mathematics, aligning with proven strategies from the What Works Clearing House and Excelencia in Education.
Key evidence-based practices include:
Increasing Access to College-Going Knowledge: Research shows that students who understand how to navigate college application and financial aid processes are more likely to enroll in college. Project Outreach FAMILIA provides targeted support through one-on-one college advising and annual Youth Summits, helping students and families make informed choices about their education. This strategic approach ensures students are fully prepared to meet their goals.
Parent Engagement with College Knowledge: Drawing from Excelencia in Education’s What Works Database, FAMILIA integrates the University of Arizona’s College Academy for Parents curriculum into bilingual workshops for families. This empowers parents with knowledge of college requirements, funding options, and resources. Evidence shows that family engagement in the college process creates a supportive home environment, significantly boosting students’ college aspirations and readiness.
Dual Enrollment in Mathematics: Recognized as a high-impact practice for academic achievement, dual enrollment courses in mathematics improve degree attainment, credit accumulation, and college persistence, especially in STEM fields. In partnership with Pima Community College, Project Outreach FAMILIA offers a dual-enrollment pre-calculus course tailored to Hispanic students. By strengthening students' foundational math skills in a culturally relevant format, the course enhances confidence and readiness for college-level STEM coursework.
Student and Family Testimonios: FAMILIA uses testimonios and pláticas—cultural storytelling methods—to foster inclusive engagement with families, informed by Dr. Trejo’s research on successful Latinx college graduates. This approach, grounded in testimonio as a research method, builds relational trust and encourages open dialogues on the college journey, making students and families feel seen and supported.
Since its inception, Project Outreach FAMILIA has supported 1,049 students and reached 3,655 students and families, exceeding yearly engagement goals. By integrating evidence-based practices, the project serves as a model of equitable, community-centered college access. Its alignment with UA’s mission to boost Hispanic enrollment and degree completion strengthens educational equity across southern Arizona.
Areas program seeks to make an impact and how
Enrollment Impact:
Project Outreach FAMILIA has contributed to notable increases in college enrollment rates among students at Catalina, Pueblo, and Rincon High Schools. Since our project’s partnership with these schools began, each has seen a steady rise in college enrollment. For instance, Catalina’s college enrollment rate increased from 13% in 2021 to 25% in 2024, Pueblo’s from 13% to 28%, and Rincon’s from 12% to 30% over the same period. These upward trends reflect the program’s success in motivating students and the families in providing resources that support their transitions to postsecondary education. While we do not yet have similar data for Rio Rico High School, as they are our newest school partnership and the data sharing agreement was finalized only in Spring 2024, we anticipate similar positive outcomes as our programs take root there.
As a comprehensive support system, Project Outreach FAMILIA helps students and families overcome academic and financial obstacles through dual enrollment courses, college application guidance, and personalized college advising, enabling more students to pursue higher education.
Additionally, increased engagement with families through bilingual workshops and financial aid guidance sessions has been instrumental in boosting FAFSA completion rates, an essential factor for students seeking financial assistance for college. At Catalina, FAFSA completion rose from 38% in 2021 to 57% in 2024; Pueblo saw an increase from 43% to 62%, and Rincon improved from 35% to 42%. These increases indicate the effectiveness of Project Outreach FAMILIA’s targeted financial literacy and aid application workshops, which empower students and families to navigate financial aid processes with confidence.
Career Readiness Impact:
In addition to supporting college enrollment, Project Outreach FAMILIA’s dual enrollment initiatives focus on STEM pathways, directly addressing the mathematics preparedness that is crucial for student success in STEM-related fields. The dual enrollment pre-calculus course offered in collaboration with Pima Community College equips students with essential skills, fostering readiness for STEM coursework at the university level and increasing their confidence in pursuing careers in high-demand fields where Hispanic representation is often limited.
Our campus tours and one-on-one advising sessions further advance career readiness by introducing students to potential career pathways and connecting them with networking opportunities. These outcomes underscore Project Outreach FAMILIA’s impact on preparing students for successful transitions from high school to college and into career paths that are both rewarding and aligned with Arizona’s workforce needs.
By fostering academic preparedness, financial literacy, and career-oriented skills, Project Outreach FAMILIA aligns with UA’s commitment to increase Hispanic enrollment and degree completion, creating a scalable model for equitable and community-centered college access.
How does this program center servingness?
To ensure Project Outreach FAMILIA exemplifies "servingness," we are deeply committed to understanding and addressing the cultural, academic, and practical needs of Hispanic and low-income students. Guided by the Culturally Responsive Engagement and Equity Representation (CREER) Framework (Trejo, 2021), which emphasizes anti-colonial project management rooted in Indigenous and Chicana Feminist theory and methodology, we draw on our diverse backgrounds and shared experiences—our testimonios—to cultivate an inclusive environment where every voice is valued, and every story matters. This approach honors our collective, communal effort by ensuring that all participants receive respect, have a voice, and co-create knowledge within culturally responsive workshops. Together, we reinforce UA’s role as a transformative, supportive presence within the community, advancing our commitment to educational equity and opportunity for all.
The program's dual enrollment courses in mathematics are thoughtfully crafted for high Hispanic-enrollment high schools, equipping students with the foundational skills essential for success in STEM fields, which historically lack Hispanic representation. By providing these courses at no cost, we empower students not only to earn college credit but also to develop the confidence and aspirations needed for a successful transition to postsecondary education.
We recognize that support extends beyond academics. Our bilingual workshops and customized financial literacy resources engage families in the college-going process, demystifying essential components such as FAFSA, scholarships, and financial aid. The Academy for FAMILIA series actively involves families, empowering them to advocate for their children’s educational journeys—an essential pillar of support for first-generation students.
Through a holistic approach that honors cultural narratives and community connections, Project Outreach FAMILIA creates a nurturing environment where students, families, and school partners are equipped with the tools and knowledge necessary to thrive in higher education.