Sacramento State to host education fair for thousands of Spanish-speaking students and parents
Sacramento State will welcome thousands of Spanish-speaking parents and students from across Northern California to help them navigate California’s college system.
The university will host its 11th annual Feria de Educación, or education fair, Saturday to provide families with information as they prepare for a pursuit of higher education. Resources will include one-on-one assistance with the California State University admission application, financial aid guidance, a career wellness zone and services for undocumented students.
The fair is geared toward middle and high school students, as well as those in community college preparing to transfer to a university. Workshops will also be available for parents.
“We don’t think it’s too early, even in middle school, for students to come and be exposed to this information,” said Erik Ramirez, director of Equity and Affinity Centers on campus. “We’re really working on bringing teenagers and students that are in high school to get them ready.”
The event comes as colleges nationwide face pandemic-related declines in Latino student enrollment.
Between 2009 and 2019, Hispanic college enrollment increased by 48%, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. However, in recent years, it’s fallen by 7%.
“We know that enrollment is on a decline and continues to decline for all demographics,” Ramirez said. “We really think Feria is an opportunity to address that specifically with the Latino community.”
Locally, Sacramento State’s enrollment rates for Latinos have held firm through the pandemic. Latino undergraduate student enrollment rates increased from 32% in fall 2019 to 39% in fall 2022. The university was one of three schools in the CSU system where enrollment did not decline, Ramirez said.
In 2015, Sacramento State was recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. And last week, the university was awarded with a Seal of Excelencia for a second time. The nationwide certification is for schools that demonstrate a commitment to Latino students and their successes.
Saturday’s free event will be held in Sacramento State’s University Union, where dozens of representatives from the state’s community colleges and universities will be in attendance. Live mariachi music and folkloric dancing will also be featured.
“The event is meant for the entire family,” Ramirez said. “It’s meant to have a little something for everybody to get folks to come out and have fun.
Those interested in attending can register online. Organizers expect about 3,000 people this year. In 2019, the event reached 7,000 participants.
Fresno State will also hold its own Feria de Educación on Saturday, Oct. 14. Leo Gonzalez, Hanford native and Latino TikTok influencer, will be a special guest.
