Excelencia study examines impact of 25 years of Hispanic Serving Institutions

Texas State University and Excelencia in Education will co-host the virtual event, “Texas Briefing on 25 Years of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) in Accelerating Latino Student Success” at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 23.

The event is free and open to the public, although preregistration is required at https://texasbriefing.provost.utexas.edu/.

The briefing is tied to a new, major research project, “25 Years of HSIs,” from national higher education leader Excelencia in Education. This effort, supported by Texas State and other committed institutions from across the United States, has produced a robust set of analyses to inform educational policy makers, academic researchers, elected officials and foundations how best to serve Latino students in higher education. Eight colleges, universities and organizations in Texas are among the higher education leaders who have invested in this important project.

“Good ideas and work need support,” said Sarita Brown, Excelencia’s president. “We thank President Denise M. Trauth and Texas State for making common cause with Excelencia and for their leadership and investment in this important research that informs the nation as we navigate current challenges and sets the course for the future. These are leaders who stepped up in these challenging times to actively address equity, with a Latino lens, for their institutions, students and our country.”

Trauth and Texas State have a history and strong working relationship with Excelencia. Trauth is affiliated with Excelencia’s Presidents for Latino Student Success, a network of leaders who are working to make their institutions learning environments where Latino students, and all their students, thrive.

The year 2020 marked 25 years since HSIs were first funded through specific federal legislation. Excelencia in Education has taken responsibility for chronicling the impact and changes of HSIs over the years. The new research reveals Texas HSIs often enroll and graduate a disproportionate number of the Latino students so needed for an educated workforce and citizenry. Along with documenting the seminal role HSIs have played in increasing Latino college completion and the value of federal investment in these institutions, the new research informs the powerful engagement by leaders in higher education and policy sectors at a critical time in our country when record numbers of Latino students should be enrolling in colleges and universities. 

“Closing equity gaps in degree attainment requires investing in the institutions enrolling and graduating Latino students in Texas and across the country,” said Deborah Santiago, Excelencia’s CEO. “Learning what these institutions are doing to intentionally serve Latino students and accelerating their impact is critical at the state and federal levels.”

About Excelencia in Education

Excelencia in Education accelerates Latino student success in higher education by promoting Latino student achievement, conducting analysis to inform educational policies, and advancing institutional practices while collaborating with those committed and ready to meet the mission. Launched in 2004 in the nation’s capital, Excelencia has established a network of results-oriented educators and policymakers to address the U.S. economy’s needs for a highly educated workforce and engaged civic leaders. For more information, visit www.EdExcelencia.org.