SAN MARCOS -- In an effort to boost Latino enrollment at Palomar College this fall, professor John Valdez is launching two classes in Latino culture and literature.

Valdez, who has been teaching at the college for more than 30 years, said he hopes the new courses "Latina Influence in American Culture" and "Literature of Latin America" will not only attract more Latino students to the school, but will also inspire those who already attend to continue their education beyond Palomar College.

"These classes will empower our students," said Valdez, who also launched a Latino film class this summer. "It will introduce them to the pioneers and scholars that shape their culture and excite them to see it in a positive educational context."

Valdez said he also hopes that the new classes will help the community college increase its Latino enrollment, which is at 22 percent, to at least 25 percent.

The increase would qualify it as a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution and make it eligible for future federal funding.

Valdez said he believes introducing the two classes are the first step toward achieving the college's goal of increasing enrollment.

The first class, "Latina Influence in American Culture," will be taught by Sylvia Mendoza, a local journalist and author of the book, "A Book of Latina Women: 150 Vidas (Lives) of Passion, Strength and Success."

The class will be focused on discussing Latinas who have made significant contributions to arts, politics, science and history.

"Her (Mendoza) book has gotten national acclaim," said Valdez. "I believe the students will come away with greater appreciation of Latinas, which is long overdue."

"Literature of Latin America" will be taught by Carlos von Son, a writer and film producer of an independent film called "Ofrenda Desnuda" ("Bare Offering").

The course will introduce students to famous writers from Latin America such as Pablo Neruda, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Octavio Paz, Valdez said.

"This is a course that needs to be introduced to the public," said Valdez. "Many students have an uneven understanding of Latin America. They will be able to gain insight into a world view they might not have ever been aware of."

Both classes will give students the opportunity to earn three elective credits that will count toward their associate degrees and will serve as transferable units for University of California and Cal State colleges.

Valdez said the two classes are only the beginning of the many plans he has in store for Latino students at the school.

Next month, Valdez will travel to International University in Cuernavaca, Mexico, to introduce his idea of launching an associate's degree in Mexican performing arts program that will focus on mariachi, theater and ballet folklorico.

Valdez said he is going to introduce the proposal to officials at the Mexican university and ask them to become a partner school with Palomar in order to offer a travel abroad program for students in the summer.

"Our hope is that we will be able to create a very rich cultural environment for our students," said Valdez. "We're very excited about it all."

- Contact staff writer Brenda Duran at (760) 761-4408 or bduran@nctimes.com.