Giving students a chance to go to college brought honor to an admissions staff member at Fresno Pacific University.
Dina Gonzalez, associate director for college admissions, received the regional service award for the Southwest from the National Association of Christian College Admissions Personnel (NACCAP). The presentation came during the association's national conference May 21 at Azusa Pacific University.
Cary Templeton, FPU associate dean for enrollment services, said Gonzalez has helped FPU embrace new sensitivities for students of color. "She is passionate for the under-served, especially the Latino communities. Dina is wonderfully gifted at motivating and caring for both our prospective students and our current students. Under her leadership our Latino student population has grown from about 11 percent eight years ago when she started to last fall's all time high of 22 percent," he said.
Gonzalez is involved in both recruiting and retaining students. An FPU graduate, she manages a team of students who visit multicultural churches throughout the Central Valley, and also works with the leaders of campus multicultural clubs.
For the last three years, Gonzalez has spearheaded a new regional outreach venture on behalf of the Southern California colleges. The Jericho Project is designed to break down the barriers between Latino students and Christian higher education. Gonzalez has hosted groups of 18-25 high-school sophomores and juniors on visits to 12 Christian colleges and universities in California.
The NACCAP is made up of admissions officers from more than 120 Christian liberal arts and Bible colleges throughout the United States and Canada. The association exists to provide professional development, support and encouragement for Christian college admissions officers so they may skillfully and responsibly direct men and women to a life of service through education at a Christian higher education. The Southwest Region includes 21 schools in California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico.