Delia Perez, Associate Director of the Llano Grand Center for Research and Development in Edcouch, TX and a member of the RUPRI National Advisory Board was recently featured on the Today Show, as part of their "A Woman's Nation" special series. This series explores the changing role of women across America, both in homes and in workplaces.
The feature, reported by NBC correspondent Jenna Bush-Hager, highlights Delia's story, graduating from Edcouch High School and attending Yale University, at a time when only 30 percent of graduates went on to college at all. After completing her studies at Yale University, Delia returned to Edcouch, Texas in order to help other young individuals pursue their dreams of attending college.
Work of the Llano Grande Center is a nonprofit organization in Edcouch, in southern Texas along the US-Mexico border. The Center worked at community development through the community's youth. The program's goal is "creating access to higher education, engaging students in community change initiatives and developing leadership that respects local history and culture." Work began during the early 1990s, with several programs aimed at helping students see the value and potential to attend college. In 1997, the center was formally made a program of the Edcouch-Elsa Independent School District. As reported on the Today show, now 70 percent of graduates from Edcouch pursue a college education.
Click here to visit the Llano Grande Center website.
