Juan Meraz, assistant vice president for diversity and inclusion at MSU, is one of ten education professionals to be recognized for Excelencia in Education at the Celebración de Excelencia in Washington D.C. on Sept. 21.
Meraz was selected for his work in developing and growing the Student Transition Education Program (STEP) at Missouri State, which will be recognized as one of this year’s “Example of Excelencia.”
Empowering students to pursue higher education
STEP, originally conceived in 2005, is a one-day conference that focuses on reaching out to the growing Latino population in Missouri and Arkansas and recruiting them to Missouri State.
“My favorite part is the session with the parents, which is usually in Spanish,” said Meraz. “It helps the parents understand what this environment is and know that we are here to help their child succeed.”
The program’s primary purpose is to help students gain a better understanding of the steps they need to take to gain admission to higher education. Additionally, it also helps students understand the mechanics of financial aid and how to fill out the correct forms.
STEP, said Meraz, encourages the development of a culturally competent student body.
“A diverse student population creates the best classroom learning environment,” said Meraz. “The STEP is a key program that provides important information and outreach to our fastest growing population.”
Encouraging student retention, success
In its first year, STEP was attended by 60 students. Today, STEP serves more than 800 students annually.
Wes Pratt, chief diversity officer and assistant to the president, said the program’s success is due in large part to Meraz’s commitment to serving students.
“Juan has been instrumental in not only doing innovative outreach and recruitment, but has also been a key component of Latino student support and retention at Missouri State,” said Pratt. “STEP has grown significantly because of Juan’s vision for creating opportunities for students to succeed.”
Pratt, who has worked with Meraz at Missouri State since 2008, says that even after more than 30 years of service to Missouri State, Meraz’s passion for progress still burns bright.
“He realizes that all of us, including himself, still have work to do in continuing to build a campus and a community that values diversity by truly living by the tenets of its public affairs mission,” said Pratt. “He is a supporter, advocate and mentor who only wants students to take full advantage of the opportunities that Missouri State has created for them, and will continue to create in the future.”
Upon his return to Springfield, Meraz will share information from the Accelerating Latino Student Success Workshop with local community organizations and school districts and incorporate it into next year’s STEP conference.
For more information, contact Meraz at 417-836-5566.