University Hosts Night of Scholarship Event and Discussion of Latino Education in Massachusetts
At the Urban Education Leadership and Policy Studies program’s annual Night of Scholarship event, Dr. Lorna Rivera and Dr. Melissa Colón shared research from their latest book on Latino education in Massachusetts.
On February 9, students, faculty, and community members gathered at UMass Boston for the Urban Education Leadership and Policy Studies program’s annual Night of Scholarship, an event focused on the state of Latino education in Massachusetts and how students are navigating the state’s education system.
More than 50 people were in attendance at the event, which featured a presentation by Dr. Lorna Rivera and Dr. Melissa Colón, editors of their book Critical Perspectives on Latino Education in Massachusetts.
Dr. Lorna Rivera is the director of the Mauricio Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development & Public Policy, and professor of higher education in the Leadership in Education Department. Dr. Melissa Colón is an assistant professor in the program of Urban Education Leadership and Policy Studies. She is also a research associate at the Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development and Public Policy. Their book examines common disparities in the educational experiences of Latino students and explores how schools can better respond.
During the event, Rivera and Colón shared research and reflections drawn from their book, which address topics like early education, college access, immigration, and bilingual learning, while also pushing against the idea that Latino students can be understood as a single group with shared experiences.
The topic of Latino education is an urgent one; today, one in four public school students in the state is Latino, a population that has grown significantly over the past several decades. Yet disparities remain across measures of educational success, including college enrollment and access to resources. Rivera and Colón described the book as building on earlier work from 1993, when the Latino population in Massachusetts was much smaller. The new volume reflects how much the landscape has shifted since then and where it still falls short.
Beyond the presentation, attendees discussed the need for more Latino educators and language access, and how policy can better reflect the realities students are facing.
Dr. Bodunrin Banwo, a faculty member in Urban Education Leadership and Policy Studies and the lead organizer of the event, said the discussion created space for meaningful reflection.
“Doctoras Colón and Rivera energized the room and helped focus the community on the issues facing Latino students,” said Banwo. “Rarely do we have community spaces where we can truly reflect on the uniqueness, diversity, and sheer size of the Latino student population in Massachusetts. The Night of Scholarship served as a reset for many attendees—a moment to recognize that much more work is needed and that it is critical to remain committed, collaborative, and intentional in advancing equity and opportunity for Latino students.”
Critical Perspectives on Latino Education in Massachusetts, published by the University of Massachusetts Press, was released in August 2025. Readers can use the code ‘UMASS20’ for a 20% discount.