The merger between the San Luis Valley Area Vocational School and Trinidad State Junior College: its impact on the Latino community

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the merger between the San Luis Valley Area Vocational School and Trinidad State Junior College, and the merger's impact on the Latino community. Five major questions were asked related to how the merger affected the Latino population, the San Luis Valley community and businesses, as well as were the students better prepared before or after the merger. The study utilized a qualitative, case study research design. Thirty in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 Anglo and 15 Latino participants. Selection criteria were based on participants' involvement in San Luis Valley community issues, being of Latino decent, longevity in the community, and involvement with the institution. There were seven themes and four sub-themes that emerged from the study: 1. Community involvement and awareness was limited to the San Luis Valley Area Vocational School employees, board members of Trinidad State Junior College, the San Luis Valley Area Vocational School Advisory Committee, the Alamosa School District Board of Education, and top administrators from the San Luis Valley Area Vocational School and Trinidad State Junior College. 2. Adams State College had limited knowledge of the merger until its completion. 3. San Luis Valley Area Vocational School staff felt they should have been more involved and informed regarding the merger. 4. The merger was an educational benefit to the San Luis Valley and the Latino community. a. The merger provided two-year educational opportunities to Latinos and the San Luis Valley. b. The merger provided an educational bridge, post-secondary certificate to an associate degree, then a four-year degree. c. Opened doors and expanded the health and childcare programs d. English as a Second Language and Adult Basic Education opportunities to limited English-speaking students. 5. The Associate of Applied Science degree is terminal. 6. Lack of Latino faculty at the merger site. 7. The perception of not being able to gauge student success and loss of one-on-one instruction.