The decision to go to college can be difficult, and for some, not knowing how to apply can stop them from even trying. So, to help make the application process easier, the University of Northern Colorado is hosting ¡Adelante!, a free bilingual community event where prospective students and their families can learn more about how to apply to college. The event will be held Tuesday, Oct. 18, 5:30 - 8 p.m., inside UNC's Campus Commons.
¡Adelante! is a new initiative at UNC that was designed to better support Hispanic and/or Latinx-identifying students and their families as they consider college options. The program will present information in English and Spanish about the college search process, the application and admissions process and ways to pay for college. This is the second ¡Adelante! event UNC has held and it’s an opportunity that one local family credits as the reason both of their sons are currently enrolled at UNC.
“When I finished high school, I tried to enter college, but honestly, it was difficult for me to find a program that would fit with my interests. And I wasn’t sure how to look for it, or even how to apply to get into the university,” said Angel Guillermo Morales, a Graphic Design student at UNC. “So, instead of becoming a student immediately, I started working.”
The story of Angel Guillermo is the story of many people. Sometimes individuals, whether they are high school students or adults who want to go back to school, do not know what the next steps are to continue their education.
“It is very sad to realize how many high school students from Greeley don’t go to college, for the very simple reason that they don’t know how to enroll,” said Yesenia Ruiz, Angel Guillermo’s mother. “I wanted my son to continue his studies, but no one ever told us what to do, or how to do it. So, he got a job.”
That all changed after The Morales family came to UNC’s ¡Adelante! event last spring.
“I remember how clearly the UNC counselors explained everything to us,” Ruiz said. “We didn’t know anything, but we decided our children would continue their academic development. And after that evening, we knew how to do it.”
Now Angel Guillermo and his brother Erick are both college students.
“I couldn’t come that day, because I was working. But my mom told me that I shouldn’t stop my studies, even if I had a job,” Angel Guillermo said. “My brother and parents came to ¡Adelante!, where they learned the application process. And now, I am very happy to be a student at UNC.”
¡Adelante! is organized with the Spanish-speaking community in mind, and it was the benefit of receiving information in her own language that Ruiz found helpful.
“As a Spanish speaker myself, and someone who didn’t have the opportunity to go to college, it was very useful to have an event like ¡Adelante! where people from UNC guided us to understand all we need to know so our children can continue their studies,” Ruiz said. “Otherwise, nobody will help us to know how to do it.”
Although ¡Adelante! was designed to support Hispanic and/or Latinx-identifying students, a very important part of UNC's local community in Greeley, everyone is welcome.
“For this event, we focus on the Spanish-speaking community, but it’s really for anyone interested in learning more about college,” said Pablo Valentín, associate director of Events and Orientation for Admissions at UNC. “You also don’t have to be interested in or enroll at UNC to attend. We are happy to help anyone, including people who are still unsure about college."
“We genuinely believe that our communities can benefit if more Hispanic/or Latinx-identifying individuals could gain a college education. And we are positive that ¡Adelante! event will facilitate their access to college,” concluded Valentin.
Registration for the event is required. Parking and dinner are free, and families and community members are welcome.
UNC's Colorado First-Year Admission Guarantee
Beginning fall 2023, the University of Northern Colorado is guaranteeing admission to the university for eligible Colorado high school students. UNC’s Colorado First-Year Admission Guarantee is a new initiative designed to provide clarity and confidence for high school guidance counselors, families and prospective students as they explore pathways to a college education.
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