Sul Ross State University and its Center for Big Bend Studies (CBBS) are celebrating a significant milestone after receiving a nearly $7.5 million Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans (PPOHA) grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
The grant, set to provide $1.5 million annually over the next five years, will support the development of new degree programs, including a Ph.D. in Natural Sciences and the recently launched Master of Arts in Anthropology. This funding aims to enhance academic offerings and improve support for Hispanic and low-income students pursuing post-secondary degrees.
The financial stability afforded by the PPOHA grant will also enable the CBBS to expand its teaching and research efforts. Multiple faculty members will now have the opportunity to contribute to fieldwork and program development, ensuring sustained progress in anthropological and natural sciences studies.
“This funding allows us to focus on our important fieldwork,” said Dr. Bryon Schroeder, Director of the CBBS. “The work ahead requires many hands, so we are grateful for the increased opportunities.”
The PPOHA grant is part of a broader effort to increase educational attainment and improve program quality for Hispanic students, aligning with Sul Ross State University’s mission to serve diverse communities in West Texas and beyond.
For more details about the grant and the Center for Big Bend Studies’ initiatives, visit cbbs.sulross.edu/ppoha-grant.
Image Credit Center for Big Bend Studies
