Ohio State gets $1.5 million grant to recruit students of migrants

COLUMBUS – The Ohio State University will use a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to recruit and to retain students who are children of migrant, agricultural or seasonal workers.

The five-year grant, which will fund Ohio State’s residential College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), will help students from migrant working families pursue a higher education.

Jose Villa, interim director of CAMP and assistant vice provost for the Office of Minority Affairs, says the program gives aspiring students a better opportunity for earning a college degree. He said Ohio State is the only institution in the state to have this type of program.

“The program improves the opportunity for migrant students to be successful,” Villa said. “These are bright students in spite of all the inhibitors associated with migrating.”

Villa said the program will help fund 30 students the first year followed by an increase of five students each year thereafter for a total of 200 students. Currently, he said about 10 students from migrant families attend Ohio State each year.

Mac Stewart, vice provost for the Office of Minority Affairs, said Ohio State has the resources and dedication to make this program a success.

“This grant shows that the U.S. Department of Education has faith in the leadership of Ohio State to address the needs of this population,” Stewart said. “The department also realizes that Ohio State has a track record of assisting many minority students in pursuing their education.”

The program will help students with educational and residential expenses and provide support for other needs, including academic counseling and tutoring. Funds will be set aside to make sure personal, leadership and cultural opportunities are available and to provide health, vision and dental care.

Villa, the son of migrant workers who earned his Ph.D. at Ohio State, understands how difficult it is to pursue a higher education. He said he plans to use his experiences to help the students.

“I want the students to know that someone who can serve as a role model for them is here at Ohio State and can help,” he said. “I am where I am now because of the opportunity given to me. These students are in need of the opportunity and understanding.”

Since the students in the program are mostly first-generation, Villa plans to form a relationship with the students’ parents to ease any concerns.

Stewart said Villa is the ideal person to lead the program.

“Dr. Villa can identify with the obstacles these students are going through and can help predict some of the issues that may hamper their education,” Stewart said. “Through the program, Ohio State can provide the opportunity for many students to improve their quality of life.”