VOE Program

Improve educational access, resources

A new partnership

IU Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College and the Mexican Consulate in Indianapolis have collaborated on the Educational Orientation Window program, or Ventanilla de Orientacion Educativa (VOE).

Every Wednesday, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Mexican nationals who live in the U.S. can get information about educational opportunities in the United States and in Mexico at the Consulate Office (331 South East Street, Indianapolis, Indiana).

Mexican nationals can learn more about scholarships and programs offered at IU Indianapolis from the VOE program every week at the Consulate Office.

Program goals

The goal of the program is to help decrease gaps in education attainment, and to strengthen the relations and engagement in communities where Mexican nationals live through:

  • Improving educational levels of Mexican nationals in Indiana by informing the community of educational opportunities and presenting workshops/lectures on topics related to higher education.
  • Providing information to visitors to the consulate office about admissions to college, financial aid, scholarships and the IU Indianapolis Center for Transfer and Adult Students.
  • Contributing to improving the educational level of adult Mexican nationals.
  • Promoting knowledge of the English language among Mexican nationals.
  • Promoting the use of new information technologies among Mexican nationals.
  • Distributing information about educational programs the Government of Mexico has developed for Mexican nationals abroad.

 

What the data shows

Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau details the educational levels of Mexican nationals, compared to other immigrants and U.S.-born adults:

Mexican adults in the U.S. (over the age 25)

  • 45% had a high school diploma
  • 7% had a bachelor’s degree or higher

All immigrant adults in the U.S.

  • 72% have a high school diploma
  • 31% have a bachelor's degree

U.S.-born adults

  • 92% have a high school diploma
  • 32% have a bachelor’s degree.

Through this partnership, IU Indianapolis will seek to strengthen our support for Latino families and students who hold aspirations for higher learning.  

Cindy Gil, Director of Latino Affairs with the Office of Community Engagement