Abstract:

Tarrant County College (TCC) serves students from a diverse population, including older, dual credit high school, commuter, and working students. Our students face unique challenges while attending TCC. To enhance and facilitate their success during their college experience, the Spanish department collaborates with other disciplines, offices, and universities to ensure that our students stay engaged, complete their degrees and transfer to 4-year institutions. I will share a comprehensive overview of practices of enhancing our students through our university campus visits in our metroplex, and cultural and student affair activities. Our goal is to create an inclusive learning environment by facilitating successful practices that empower our non-traditional students.

Key topics:
- First generation and Dual High School Students.
- Cultural activities: Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead event), guest speakers, Las Posadas (Mexican Christmas Festivities), Spanish day, First Generation Fest, Spanish Club, Las Escaramuzas (Skirmishes).
- University campus visits in the Dallas and Fort Worth metroplex: UTA, Texas A&M, SMU. TCU.

Keywords:

First generation and Dual High School Students, Día de los Muertos, guest speakers, Las Posadas.