Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva recently congratulated Estrella Mountain Community College for being awarded more than $500,000 by the U.S. Department of Education.

The award is part of the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Program.

“I am thrilled to see Estrella Mountain Community College receive this well-deserved funding to help expand educational opportunities for Hispanic students,” Grijalva said.

Last academic year, 45.6 percent of Estrella Mountain Community College’s student population was Hispanic, according to Grijalva.

"HSIs play a critical role in graduating students of color, and it is vital for the federal government to continue to provide funding opportunities that will strengthen the capacity of these institutions," he said. "A quality education can open the door to upward mobility in our society, and this grant will help Estrella Mountain ensure that opportunity is shared with diverse and deserving future leaders. I can’t wait to see the myriad ways that these students will take their education and change the world for the better.”

Grijalva often issues statements of congratulations for programs he feels are worth supporting.