Newman University Hires Director of Hispanic Admissions
WICHITA, Kan.
Newman University joined a growing trend when it hired a director of Hispanic admissions to increase enrollment of this burgeoning minority group and help the students already on campus.
“In the past, Hispanics have been looked at as disadvantaged, but I just know so many that have been very successful,” said Lori Wilson Sabogal, who took on the job at the Catholic university in February. “But we have to realize they do have specific needs.”
Sabogal, whose mother is Hispanic, attends community events hosted by organizations such as the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She said it’s important to reach Latinos through the Catholic Church and stressed the importance of families.
“I think with Hispanics it can be more about talking with the parents over some pan dulce,” or sweet bread, she said. “The family is important. I don’t think I could do this without speaking Spanish.”
The focus on Hispanic students appears to be having an effect at Newman. The incoming freshman class was 12 percent Hispanic last fall. Overall, 7 percent, or 156, of the university’s 2,239 students were Latino.
