Is a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HIS) Right for You?
SaveIn this article, I review the definition, characteristics, and benefits of attending an HSI.
Introduction
There are many factors to consider when choosing which college may be the best fit for you, such as location, cost, academics, etc. One factor that is also important to consider but is not often discussed is your racial or ethnic identity. I attended a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) for my undergraduate degree and, as a first-generation Latinx student, this benefited me in many ways. In this article, I review the definition, characteristics, and benefits of attending an HSI. Hopefully, this will open your eyes to a new type of college and help you reflect on your identity and how you may prioritize that while considering where to attend college.
HSIs are officially designated colleges and universities with a minimum of 25% of their undergraduate student population identifying as Hispanic. Since the 1990s, the U.S. Department of Education has designated over 500 colleges and universities as Hispanic-Serving Institutions. This designation is an important recognition, as all HSIs get extra federal funding, about $200 million across all HSIs each year.
The number of HSIs is growing every year. Further, there are almost 400 “emerging HSIs (eHSIs),” including colleges or universities with a student body of 15-25%. There are slightly more two-year colleges than four-year colleges, and most of these schools are public institutions. More importantly, though only 17% of all colleges and universities in the United States are HSIs, these schools serve two-thirds of all Hispanic college students. So, where can you find HSIs? Since this designation is based on enrollment percentages, they may change from year to year, but you can find an updated directory online published by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. There are HSIs located in roughly half of the states, mainly in the Southwest.
HSIs are just one type of Minority-Serving Institution (MSI), though the number of HSIs and eHSIs surpass all other types of MSIs. You may have heard of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) or Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). However, HSIs are distinct from other MSIs in that the HSI designation is derived from their enrollment percentages, not their founding mission; in other words, HSIs do not necessarily aim to serve a particular population.
Like many other minoritized populations, Latinxs have been historically excluded from attending and graduating college. However, since the origin of HSIs, the percentage of Latinx adults with a college degree has doubled. Even so, Latinxs still have one of the lowest college graduation rates of all ethnic and racial groups. This is why considering an HSI as a Latinx student is important — there are many benefits to attending an HSI, which I go over next.
The importance of HSIs
First, I want to note that the term Latinx can be complex and nuanced; Latinx students can identify themselves in different ways, and this may change over time. While there are many ways to be Latinx, research has shown that attending an HSI can help Latinx students have a more positive college experience and have a greater chance of graduating. This is true for both two- and four-year colleges, and for part-time and full-time students. For example, researchers have found that Latinx students attending HSIs emphasize the importance of feeling connected to mentors, students, faculty, and staff on campus who speak Spanish and have similar cultural backgrounds. These faculty and staff can help create an environment that can potentially aid and empower Latinx students, aiding in their college retention and success and helping them navigate any challenges or obstacles.
As mentioned earlier, colleges designated as an HSI receive special federal funding. This funding often goes towards resources like student support programs and community outreach programs, which can create a more supportive environment for Latinx students. Further, recent research has found that many HSIs integrate workforce preparation opportunities and emphasize experiential learning for students. Many HSIs also work with local employers and institutions to help graduates transition into the workforce.
While HSIs may benefit Latinx students in particular, they can be welcoming and beneficial for similar reasons to other minoritized students. For example, dozens of HSIs also hold the designation of Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions. Further, HSIs are more likely to be in areas with a large Black population, meaning a more diverse community. Despite the benefits above, it is important to note that HSIs are not a monolith — the overall demographic makeup and student experience at an HSI can vary. A school can be designated as an HSI, though the rest of the student, faculty, and staff population are not always necessarily diverse. Because HSIs are so due to their enrollment percentages, not their mission, the support for and sense of belonging of Latinx students can vary from campus to campus. Still, the overall benefits of attending an HSI as a Latinx student are grounded in many different research reports and cannot be overlooked.
Conclusion
There are many factors that go into choosing a college that is right for you. HSIs, or other MSIs, are just another important factor to consider, especially if you are a Latinx or other minoritized student. Though I went over several benefits above, institutional factors of each HSI will affect your college experience in different ways; it is still important to visit college campuses if feasible and speak to current students and alumni to gain a sense of whether a college is right for you.
If you're Latinx and want to embrace your identity and be a part of a Latinx community but you can't attend an HSI, look for Latinx affinity social or academic groups on campus. Because higher education has historically excluded Latinx students, chances are the college you choose to attend will be less diverse than your high school. Even so, identity has proven to be an important factor in educational success. HSIs and other MSIs will only continue to grow, so they are an important type of college to consider!
Melissa Ortiz
Melissa has ten years of experience working in research and administration in several nonprofits and higher education institutions. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Loyola Marymount University and her M.S. in Education from the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education.Articles & Advice
Featured Articles from The SAGE Scholars Benefit
Checking in After Midterms
Being a Non-Traditional College Student
