Higher education institutions across the nation will experience an influx of Hispanic students in the coming years as the number of Hispanics in public schools continues to grow, said Antonio R. Flores, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), during the State of HACU Address at the Opening Plenary of HACU’s 29th Annual Conference on Oct. 10, 2015, in Miami Beach, Florida.
More than 1,600 college students and education leaders registered to attend the conference through Oct. 12 to network, discuss and learn about the latest topics affecting Hispanics in higher education.
Every year, the number of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and emerging HSIs increases. But, the number of Hispanic-Serving School Districts representing 25 percent or more Hispanic enrollment is growing at faster rates than emerging HSIs.
“What we have coming is not a wave of HSIs when we see the thousands of Latino students enrolling in HSIs but a tsunami of student enrollment in the years ahead,” Flores said.
In 2002, 18 percent of students in PreK-12 were Hispanic; in 2012, the number increased to 24 percent and it is expected to increase to 29 percent in 2024. Of all races and ethnicities, Hispanics are expected to see the largest percent increase by 2024. Colleges and universities are expected to see a 42 percent increase in Hispanic students by 2021.
“That means we are expecting to see a bigger membership base … and we will need to work with school districts and Congress to invest in the education of Latinos,” Dr. Flores said.
In 2013 – the latest data available – there were 409 Hispanic-Serving Institutions. Moreover, in the same year, there were 296 emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions with enrollments between 15 and 25 percent Hispanic. On average 30 institutions reach the HSI enrollment benchmark of 25 percent each year.
In keeping with HACU’s international thrust, Flores said HACU is planning opportunities to expand educational relationships between HSIs and both China and Cuba during next year.
In addition to the State of HACU Address, the following individuals received recognition from HACU during the Opening Plenary:
- Steve Sauls, former vice president for governmental relations at Florida University, HACU Lifelong Leadership Award
- Rita Cepeda, chancellor emeritus of San Jose Evergreen Community College District, HACU Lifelong Leadership Award
Other HACU Awards and presentations will take place during various key conference events.