According to the U.S. Department of Education, “a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) is defined as an institution of higher education that—(A) is an eligible institution; and (B) has an enrollment of undergraduate full-time equivalent students that is at least 25 percent Hispanic students at the end of the award year immediately preceding the date of application.”  While this definition nicely sums up the requirements a school must meet to become an HSI, being an HSI and truly serving the Hispanic community goes beyond statistics.  And so as we enter our 28th year, we here at Hispanic Outlook are beginning an ongoing article series highlighting those schools that have achieved HSI status and how they are truly Hispanic-Serving Institutions.

AURORA UNIVERSITY (AU)

With its main campus in Illinois, AU prides itself on being an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning.  Its student organizations include the Latin American Student Organization (LASO), which is designed to provide students with new friendships and greater awareness of Latin American cultures on campus and to promote the pursuit of leadership opportunities, networking skills, academic success and community service. AU offers more than 40 undergraduate majors in arts and sciences, business, criminal justice, education, nursing and social work. It also offers a wide variety of master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as certificates and endorsements.

https://www.aurora.edu/

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (BFIT)

BFIT is an urban college that serves the Boston region and values its diverse community and the fostering of a supportive learning environment. Its student clubs include the Multicultural Student Association (MSA), which is a student lead organization that focuses on social, educational and awareness programming. The mission of the MSA is to bring awareness and develop a welcoming community to students across different cultural backgrounds. Programs offered include automotive management, automotive technology, biomedical engineering technology, computer technology, construction management, electrical technology, electrical engineering, electronic engineering technology, health information technology, mechanical engineering technology, opticianry, and technology business & management.

http://www.bfit.edu/

COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF DENVER (CCD)

CCD is dedicated to expanding access, particularly for underserved first-generation and minority students. Nearly 50 percent of CCD students are first-generation and more than 60 percent qualify for financial aid. Its student organizations include DREAMer’s United, which is designed to empower students to overcome the adversity and stigma that is associated with being a DREAMer by creating a positive impact in the community through volunteer opportunities and campus involvement.  CCD’s academic centers are as follows: the Advanced Manufacturing Center, Arts & Humanities, Career & Technical Education, Health Sciences at Lowry, Math & Science, and Performing Arts, Behavioral & Social Sciences.

https://www.ccd.edu/

CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY-CHICAGO (CUC)

As a distinctive, comprehensive university of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, CUC equips men and women to serve and lead with integrity, creativity, competence and compassion in a diverse, interconnected and increasingly urbanized church and world. Its student clubs include the Emerging Latina Leadership Association (ELLA) and the Latino Student Union (LSU). In addition, CUC’s website has resources for first-generation college students and their parents, including advice and success stories from students and military veterans, and a virtual campus tour. CUC is divided into five colleges: Arts & Sciences, Business, Education, Graduate Studies, and Innovation and Professional Programs.

https://www.cuchicago.edu/

FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY (FAU)

With six campuses, FAU provides a supportive learning environment by offering a broad range of academic programs, activities and services.  Student organizations include The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), Spanish Club (Club de Español), the Latin American Student Association and Uniendo Culturas (Spanish Club), as well as Ballroom of FAU, which teaches such dances as the salsa, the tango, the cha cha and the merengue. FAU has ten colleges offering more than 170 degree programs in fields that include the arts and humanities, the sciences, medicine, nursing, accounting, business, education, public administration, social work, architecture, engineering, and computer science. 

http://www.fau.edu/

MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY(MSU)

Located in northern New Jersey, MSU delivers the instructional and research resources of a large public university in a supportive, sophisticated and diverse academic environment. It’s student clubs and organizations include the Latin American Student Organization (LASO), as well as the Multicultural Psychology Scholars.  MSU is divided into 10 colleges and schools: College of the Arts, College of Education and Human Services, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, Feliciano School of Business, John J. Cali School of Music, New Jersey School of Conservation, School of Communication and Media, School of Nursing and The Graduate School.

http://www.montclair.edu/

NASSAU COMMUNITY COLLEGE (NCC)

Part of the State University of New York System (SUNY), NCC serves students of all ages and backgrounds and offers day, evening, weekend, online, continuing and professional programs.  It’s student organizations include The Student Organization of Latinos (S.O.L.), which is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of all its members, who are representatives of the Latino diaspora, as well as the entire population that makes up college. NCC’s programs are in more than 70 fields of study and include the liberal arts, accounting & business administration, economics and finance, foreign languages, English, legal studies, nursing, criminal justice, and engineering/physics/technology.

http://www.ncc.edu/

TEMPLE COLLEGE (TC)

Based in Texas, TC prides itself on creating a fair, impartial and inclusive educational and work environment that promotes mutual respect, social responsibility and open communication among students, faculty, staff and the public. Its student organizations include the Young Adult League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) whose purpose is to cultivate a better understanding of the Latin-American culture and its relationship with TC’s students and its community, as well as to encourage Latin-Americans to continue their education. TC offers more than 60 different programs of study including vocational nursing, accounting, pre-law, biology, geology, environmental science and criminal justice.

http://templejc.edu/

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE (UCI)

At UCI, the idea that true progress is made when different perspectives come together to advance understanding of the world is incorporated into its founding mission to catalyze the community and enhance lives through rigorous academics, cutting-edge research and dedicated public service.  Campus organizations include the Latin American Student Organization and the Spanish Club at UCI, as well as Mesa Unida, which promotes unity among UCI’s Chicano/Latino Organizations.  Fields of study include business, law, engineering, the arts, education, information & computer sciences, humanities, interdisciplinary studies, medicine, nursing, public health, social ecology, social sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, biological sciences and physical sciences.

https://uci.edu/

WOODBURY UNIVERSITY(WU)

With three campuses based in California, WU University strives to create a climate that values engagement in addressing issues of diversity and inclusiveness in part by actively recruiting and encouraging diverse candidates to apply as students, staff and faculty. Its student organizations include the Coordinadora Latinoamericano de Estudiantes de Arquitectura (CLEA), and Woodbury’s Office of International Student Services serves a large international population hailing from more than 40 countries including Colombia, Mexico and Spain. It’s divided into four areas: a School of Business, a College of Liberal Arts, a School of Architecture and a School of Media Culture & Design.

https://woodbury.edu/

Logos and information all courtesy of their individual schools