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Bilingual Services

Spanish Viewbook

The viewbook introduces prospective students and families to Pikes Peak State College and all it has to offer. It contains more details about programs and resources that may be most important to Spanish speaking students and families, like English as a Second Language.
Check out the Spanish viewbook

 

Bilingual Support for a Brighter Future

The Bilingual Services Team at Pikes Peak State College is dedicated to empowering Spanish-speaking students and families with high-quality educational support and resources, helping them excel academically, personally, and professionally.

With the growing demand for our impactful services, we are excited about the opportunity to expand our reach, offering even more programs and opportunities to those who need them most.

Together, we’re shaping the future leaders of our community.

Dedicated Services

Our tailored services are here to guide and support Spanish-speaking students and families through every step of the enrollment journey, from start to finish.
College graduate with mother

Noches con Pikes Peak State College

Noches con Pikes Peak State College (Nights with Pikes Peak State College) is a bilingual recruitment event intentionally designed to welcome Spanish-speaking prospective students and their families on campus. 

There are three sessions offered in a semester. Every session delves deep into an important topic such as academic offerings and financial assistance. Staff from the corresponding departments present at these sessions so students and family members can learn from and ask questions to the subject matter experts. Our bilingual services team interprets for staff members, so all content is presented in both English and Spanish.  

At each session, students and families enjoy food and a swag giveaway.  To further boost engagement, we raffle off three $1000 scholarships at the final session of each semester. Students receive a raffle ticket for each session they attend, increasing their chances of winning.

Noches con Pikes Peak State College was designed as a replacement for Spanish Campus Visits, which mirrored the structure of our weekly English Campus Visits. From September 2021 - May 2023, we connected with a total of 17 students through the Spanish Campus Visits. In the first semester of Noches con Pikes Peak State College, we engaged 27 unique students, underscoring its efficacy within the target demographic.
Spring 2024 Flyer

Monthly Spanish Newsletter

In Spring semester of 2022, we launched a monthly Spanish newsletter. It is the counterpart to our monthly English parent/guardian newsletter but, like the viewbook and Noches con Pikes Peak State College, consistently features content tailored to the needs and interests of our Spanish-speaking community, such as bilingual student and staff profiles. 

Designed for parents, families, and prospective students, it's not only an avenue share essential information, like registration dates, but also to promote upcoming events and foster a sense of belonging among our students and their families.
Spanish Newsletters
Man using computer
Student using laptop

Spanish Microsite

The microsite is a group of webpages written in Spanish by the bilingual services team rather than relying on automated translation technology. This approach ensures precise and culturally relevant content specific to PPSC and the needs of our Spanish-speaking prospective students and families. 

Within the site, visitors can find pages with information about the English as a Second Language program, paying for college, resources for students who are non-US citizens, and guidance for parents and families. 

Our bilingual services team email and WhatsApp number is available on each page, as well as an inquiry form. Prospective students can reach out in their preferred language and through their preferred method of contact. 

Having a Spanish microsite with unique URLs also allows us to share direct links to Spanish-language pages through digital platforms or print materials, like the viewbook. Providing these easily navigable resources ensures accessibility and enhances engagement.
Spanish Microsite Homepage

Individual Student Support

We offer in-person, phone, and virtual appointments in Spanish to prospective students so they can explore programs, learn about financial aid options, and navigate the college application process. Families are welcome to attend these appointments with the student; we recognize the pivotal role of support systems in a student's decision-making journey toward higher education. Offering appointments in Spanish ensures that both students and their support systems can access information in their language of preference. 

Many of our Spanish-speaking students communicate with friends and family through the messaging application WhatsApp, so we've integrated this into our outreach and communication strategy. The bilingual recruiter manages a WhatsApp business account, which has proven to be a convenient and appreciated option. By embracing technology that aligns with the preferred communication methods of our student community, we facilitate seamless interactions and foster a supportive environment.

Our continuing students are also supported by the bilingual services team; they can receive assistance with college processes, like financial aid appeals and class registration, in the language they are most comfortable with. Many continuing students prefer to speak in Spanish with an advisor about critical topics like their career options or transferring credits from their home country. The bilingual services team often acts as a liaison between the student and other student services departments at the college.
Girl in graduate gown and hat
Smiling woman

Translation and Interpretation

The bilingual services team plays a central role in supporting both prospective and current students through written translations and live interpretation services.

Written translations are essential tools requested and used by various departments including Enrollment Services, Marketing, and the Learning Commons. These translations ensure that information reaches and is understood by our Spanish-speaking community. 

Live interpretation provided by our bilingual services team members is crucial during appointments and phone calls between English-speaking staff members and Spanish-speaking students or families. Staff members from various departments, including the Enrollment Services counter, Academic Advising, and Student Accounts, rely on the team to facilitate effective communication. By offering interpretation, the bilingual services team bridges language barriers, ensuring that all individuals receive the support and information they require to navigate their academic journey successfully.

Spanish Translation Resources

The Bilingual Services team at Pikes Peak State College is dedicated to ensuring that all Spanish-language communications are clear, accurate, and culturally relevant. To support this goal, we have developed two key resources for the entire college community:

  • Spanish Translation Style Guide:
    This guide offers recommendations and best practices for translating institutional materials into Spanish, ensuring consistency in tone, terminology, and formatting across all college communications.

Both resources are available to all staff, students, and collaborators who wish to improve the quality of their translations or better understand institutional terminology. We invite everyone to consult these materials and contribute to more inclusive and effective communication within our community.

Spanish Translation Resources
students studying at rampart range

Impact & Demand

The demand for bilingual services at Pikes Peak State College has been steadily increasing, highlighting the critical need for additional team members to support our Spanish-speaking students and their families.

Calls to the Spanish Enrollment Services Phone Line

Spanish Recruitment Appointments

%

Increase in Hispanic seat count in ESL Courses

 

📞 Over the past year, our Spanish Enrollment Services call line: 
💬 In addition to phone calls, we have seen significant engagement through digital communication channels:
🤝 The impact of our bilingual services is evident in the number of bilingual recruitment appointments scheduled:

This growth underscores the effectiveness of our services and the trust that our Spanish-speaking students place in us. Prior to starting and throughout their time at PPSC, many students choose to meet with a bilingual financial aid advisor. Between the two currently on staff, they meet with nearly 400 Spanish speaking students per year.  

🧑‍🏫 The demand for and growth in bilingual appointments is reflected in the increase in enrollment of Hispanic/Latino identifying students in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes since the 2022-2023 academic year:
🎓 PPSC’s enrollment reflects the greater community:

 

OPPORTUNITY

To continue meeting the needs of our Spanish-speaking students and to further enhance their experience, it is essential to expand our bilingual services team.

By adding more members, we can ensure that all calls to the Spanish Enrollment Services line are answered promptly, provide timely responses to WhatsApp inquiries, and accommodate the growing number of appointment requests.  

Expanding our team will not only improve our ability to serve our current students but also attract more prospective students from the Hispanic community. We will have the capacity to implement quality bilingual recruitment events and programming. As we strive to become and remain an official Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), investing in our bilingual services is a crucial step towards achieving this goal. 

 

Questions about bilingual services?

Please ask us anything about the bilingual recruitment strategies we have implemented!

 

Contact Us

Bilingual Services

Janae Knipp

janae.knipp@pikespeak.edu

(719) 502-2453