September 12, 2016

National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week recognized by the White House, Sept. 12-18, 2016

Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) across the country are being recognized this week by President Obama, before the start of Hispanic Heritage Month 2016. On Sept. 9, the White House issued a proclamation designating September 12-18 as National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week. Each year, Hispanic-Serving Institutions from around the country celebrate HSIs Week with activities ontheir campus. To read the full proclamation, click here.

"HSIs have given more Hispanics access to the resources and opportunities they need to compete in our economy. More than half of America's Hispanic undergraduates attend HSIs, which have played a critical role in increasing access to a college education and have worked to bolster enrollment, retention, and graduation rates," stated President Obama in the proclamation.

"The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities thanks the President for recognizing the contributions of Hispanic-Serving institutions in educating the future workforce of this nation,” said HACU president and CEO Antonio R. Flores.

In 1992, HACU led the effort to convince Congress to formally recognize campuses with high Hispanic enrollment as federally designated HSIs and to begin targeting federal appropriations to those campuses.

Each year, HACU government relations coordinates the recognition. HACU encourages HSIs to include the proclamation as part of their HSIs Week activities on their campus and via their social media.

Below are some links to additional information about HSIs:

• List of Hispanic-Serving Institutions here
• Fact Sheet: Hispanic Higher Education and HSIs - 2016 here

Share your institution’s plans to celebrate National HSIs Week with HACU. Submit your event via email to HACU or via Twitter @HACUNews. Use hashtag #HSIWeek #HSIs