Saint Elizabeth University receives grant to support Hispanic students pursuing healthcare careers

Rhea-AI Summary

Bank of America has awarded a $200,000 grant to Saint Elizabeth University to support the Progresando Initiative, aimed at enhancing economic mobility for Hispanic-Latino students in healthcare. Over two years, the initiative is expected to double the number of students pursuing healthcare degrees, addressing the shortage of Spanish-speaking providers. The grant will fund a bilingual academic coach, a career advisor, and emergency support for students. SEU, one of 12 Hispanic Serving Institutions involved, is committed to improving equity and inclusion in healthcare.

Positive

• Bank of America granted $200,000 to enhance support for Hispanic-Latino students at SEU.
• The initiative is expected to double the number of Hispanic-Latino students in healthcare programs, projecting over 6,200 students to benefit.
• Grant includes funding for a bilingual academic coach and career advisor, enhancing student support.

Negative

• None.

Progresando Initiative promotes the economic and social mobility of Hispanic adults

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Aug. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Saint Elizabeth University (SEU) was awarded a two-year $200,000 grant from Bank of America to support Hispanic-Latino students pursuing careers in healthcare through its Progresando initiative. The initiative was created to help Hispanic-Latinos achieve upward economic mobility through careers in healthcare, while also helping to increase representation and address the shortage of culturally sensitive, Spanish-speaking health providers.

SEU, based in Morristown, N.J., is one of 12 higher education Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) nationwide participating in Bank of America's Progresando Initiative. HSIs participating in the program are located in markets with a significant need of Hispanic-Latino healthcare providers.

As part of the initiative, education firm EAB will provide research, technology, marketing, and advisory services to the participating institutions. Over the next two years, the initiative is projected to help more than 6,200 Hispanic-Latino students commit to healthcare related programs, doubling the current student rate.

"As an HSI, Saint Elizabeth University is dedicated to supporting our Hispanic student population in achieving academic, professional and personal success. It is critically important that we enhance equity and inclusion in healthcare to improve patient access and outcomes in Hispanic communities," said Anne Clark Bartlett, provost and vice president for the division of Academic Affairs and Student Life at SEU.

The grant to Saint Elizabeth University will directly support the addition of a bilingual health care academic coach and a career advisor to Progresando Scholars, in addition to supplemental instruction and tutoring in critical prerequisite classes. The grant also provides for emergency funds to Progresando Scholars facing food housing insecurity, caregiving responsibilities, or other unanticipated financial needs.

"Hispanic-Latino graduate students cite gaps in academic preparation and support, caregiving responsibilities, unanticipated financial pressures, and language barriers as major challenges to degree completion," said Alberto Garofalo, President of Bank of America New Jersey. "Through the Progesando initiative with Saint Elizabeth University, not only are we providing the necessary support for Hispanic-Latino students to successfully embark on high-quality healthcare careers, we are also helping to strengthen the pipeline to support employer demand, so it's truly a win-win."

Saint Elizabeth University offers six accredited degree programs that lead to high-

paying careers in fields with great market demand. These include:

• Master of Science in Physician Assistant (median salary $115k, 31% faster than average job growth);
• Doctor of Psychology in Counseling Psychology ($105k median salary, 10% faster than average job growth);
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN.) in Nursing Leadership or Education (median salary $104k, 32% faster than average job growth);
• Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology or School Counseling Psychology (median salary $80k, 8% faster than average job growth);
• Master of Arts in Applied Behavioral Analysis* ($61k median salary, 34% faster than average job growth);
• Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetic Internship* ($63k median salary, 11% faster than average job growth).

*MA in ABA and the MS in Nutrition programs are fully online.

Saint Elizabeth University

Saint Elizabeth University, founded by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth in 1899, is a community of learning in the Catholic liberal arts tradition. SEU is ranked number one in New Jersey by U.S. News & World Report for "Top Performers for Social Mobility – Northeast Region" and was recently ranked third in the state for earnings outcomes for students three years after graduation by NJEEDS. Visit us at steu.edu/virtualtour.

Bank of America Environmental, Social and Governance

At Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), we're guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We're delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It's demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Connect with us on Twitter @BofA_News.

For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts.

Reporters may contact:

Denise Panyik-Dale, Saint Elizabeth University
Phone: 973-290-4606
dpdale@steu.edu

AnnMarie McDonald, Bank of America
Phone: 332-234-8635
annmarie.mcdonald@bofa.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/saint-elizabeth-university-receives-grant-to-support-hispanic-students-pursuing-healthcare-careers-301613739.html

SOURCE Bank of America Corporation

FAQ

What is the Progresando Initiative funded by Bank of America?

The Progresando Initiative aims to improve economic mobility for Hispanic-Latino students pursuing healthcare careers.

How much did Bank of America grant to Saint Elizabeth University?

Bank of America awarded a $200,000 grant to support the Progresando Initiative.

What will the grant to Saint Elizabeth University primarily support?

The grant will fund a bilingual healthcare academic coach, a career advisor, and emergency support for students.

How many students are expected to benefit from the Progresando Initiative?

The initiative is projected to help over 6,200 Hispanic-Latino students commit to healthcare-related programs.

What is the goal of increasing representation in healthcare through the Progresando Initiative?

The goal is to address the shortage of culturally sensitive, Spanish-speaking healthcare providers.