A retention program for La Casa Cultural Latina, 1203 W. Nevada St., was originally developed in the 1980s and was mainly aimed toward freshmen students.

However, staff members of the cultural center recognized that retention for Latina/o students is a process that occurs throughout the entire undergraduate years, said Veronica M. Kann, assistant director of La Casa.

The program was broadened last year to include all students, Kann said. The program is now known as META, Spanish for “goal,” and an acronym for Mentoring Encouraging Teaching Achieving.

This goal-setting and retention program is comprised of four components that focus on directing students to campus resources and providing a medium for social interaction, Kann said. META’s goal this year is to regularize and maintain programs, she added.

“It’s a program in which we try to lead people to the resources to make their academic experiences more successful,” Kann said.

A group of undergraduate students collaborate in coordinating workshops, events and programs for META participants. The most notable programs are the goal-setting workshops and the “Lunch at La Casa” weekly program series.

Cynthia Ledesma, freshman in LAS, said attending the programs have helped her become a better student.

The workshop helps students assess their personal strengths and weaknesses to set realistic goals.

“I was able to recognize what I needed to work on for myself as an individual, not only academically, but personally,” Ledesma said.

“Lunch at La Casa” informs students about an eclectic range of topics, from study abroad options to financial resources. Similar programs address issues of health and wellness, stress management and writing resumes, Kann said.

“We deliberately built in flexibility in our programs,” Kann said. “We’re aware that all of our students are changing. The program is designed to accommodate students.”

META coordinators are currently developing two additional components to further the program.

One component is meant to help students build relationships with teaching assistants, advisers, professors and alumni to create networks of support. This program will pair current students with alumni within selected career choices to give students a role model and help alumni remain connected to the University, Kann said.

Another developing component is the creation of a Latina/o alumni community through AlwaysIllinois, a virtual community.

“I think this is a really good program because it’s for all ages,” said Daissy Dominguez, sophomore in LAS and META coordinator. “It’s for people to build close relationships.”