Casa Latina:

Addressing growing demand for Spanish-speaking professionals

of total U.S. population is Hispanic

3.5% total college enrollment in Michigan is Hispanic/Latino of Latinos hold a bachelor’s degree or higher

Source: Pew Research Center and MI School Data most spoken language in the U.S. is Spanish understand a language before they can speak it or write it,” said Sanchez. “This is an important piece of formulating the existing curriculum into the bilingual format that fits each degree program and the classes within it.”

Davenport will use a systematic approach to curriculum development to determine what needs to be in English and what needs to be in Spanish. Ultimately, lessons will alternate between languages, but the details of that layout will be specific to each program’s curriculum, class and profession.

For instance, accountants often use terms such as equity, accruals, dividends, etc. This terminology, and how it is discussed within the profession, will be covered in both English and Spanish, as part of the curriculum. Just like learning the discourse of a particular career, constructing communications (oral or written) that are culturally responsive and appropriate is essential to the bilingual professional.

This approach will create confidence in each student’s bilingualism while building their professional proficiency in both languages. Graduates will ultimately become fluent in their professional discourse, vocabulary and content of their careers.

“Community is important and, thus, is integral to the success of Casa Latina,” Sanchez said. “Davenport will utilize a community engagement approach to build upon a familyoriented culture and develop support through strategic partnerships to mobilize resources and sustain this initiative long term.”

The community has come together to support the launch of Casa Latina with generous gifts to the ELEVATE campaign. These donors include the Daniel & Pamella DeVos Foundation, the M.E. Davenport Committee through the M.E. Davenport Foundation, the Steelcase Foundation, and Steve and Tana Wessell in memory of Tyrus R. Wessell.

An advisory board will be established to include community stakeholders to ensure Casa Latina will work closely within the fabric of the community to develop a pipeline for Latino/a/x enrollment, provide Latino/a/x college students with additional support from social networks and resources, and provide bilingual internships and post-graduation employment for Latino/a/x students. To learn more about Casa Latina, visit