Wayne State University's Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies (CLLAS) will celebrate the achievements of students who participated in this year's Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) during a ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 7.

Funded through generous support from the DTE Energy Foundation, the SEP is a premier college transition program helping low-income, first generation and underrepresented students pass critical gateway courses at higher rates than their WSU peers. 

For the past 11 years, SEP participants have enjoyed higher pass rates in their fall English and math classes than their WSU peers, as well as higher first-to-second year retention rates. The summer program has also been a key contributing factor to closing the gap in six-year graduation rates for Latino/a students at Wayne State.

"Starting off on the right foot is extremely important for the success of any college student," states Ethriam Brammer, CLLAS associate director. "The SEP has helped our students make friends, learn the campus and pass their classes at higher rates. All of this leads to higher retention and shorter time to degree."

During the six-week, non-residential summer experience, students take English, math and Latino/a Studies courses, as well as participate in community-building exercises, establish networks with peer mentors and learn about the various student success resources that WSU has to offer.

A ceremony celebrating the success of student participants will take place from 3-4 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 7, at WSU's El Salón de Nuestra Cultura, 150 General Lectures Building, located at 5045 Anthony Wayne Drive, Detroit, Mich. 48202. 

All events are free and open to the public. For more information, call the Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies at 313-577-4378.

Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering more than 370 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 28,000 students.