More Hmong Students Enrolled at Wisconsin Colleges

The number of Hmong students enrolled in Wausau area colleges has more than tripled in the past 16 years, reports The Wausau Daily Herald.

Approximately 9 percent, or 126, of University of Wisconsin Marathon County's students last year were Hmong. In 1993, only eight Hmong students were enrolled at UWMC.

Northcentral Technical College enrolled 805 Asian students last year representing 5 percent of the Wausau campus' student body. In 1993, the college had 237 Asian students, only 2 percent of the student body.

College officials told the Daily Herald that the trend is expected to continue. Both schools have improved recruitment of Asian students. For example, UWMC has offered a precollege summer program for Hmong students. In addition, Hmong families have changed their beliefs about girls remaining home and are now encouraging all of their children to attend college, the Daily Herald reported.

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