Source:  SDSU News Center
Published: November 13, 2009

Higher Hispanic enrollment on the horizon

HACU visits campus to discuss Hispanic enrollment in higher education

By Lorena Nava Ruggero

San Diego State is on the threshold of becoming a Hispanic-serving institution, a designation that opens the door for expanded research funding and stronger ties to the Hispanic community.

“Our Hispanic student enrollment is 22.5 percent, that’s approximately 7,365 Hispanic students at San Diego State University," said SDSU President Stephen L. Weber. "The threshold for full membership in the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) is 25 percent, so this is going to happen at San Diego State."

A visit to SDSU by HACU officials on Thursday, Nov. 12, was the ninth stop on their 40-campus international tour through Mexico and the United States.

Antonio Flores, president and CEO of the group, noted that while SDSU is not technically a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI), it has become a role model for other universities looking to strengthen Hispanic community partnerships. 

“The Compact (for Success) that San Diego State University has with (the Sweetwater Union High School District) is a good example of the kinds of things that we intend to support,” Flores said in reference to legislation the organization plans to pursue.

New dollars, new opportunities

SDSU's Director of Diversity Aaron Bruce said the advantages of an HSI designation include eligibility for new funding for research, internships and campus resource development.

“(Being an) HSI will potentially bring millions of dollars to our university,” Bruce said. “These funds will provide valuable opportunities for all students, faculty and staff.

"In addition our campus will continue to strengthen community partnerships like the Compact for Success with Sweetwater, and to build new partnerships."

Educating tomorrow's workforce

About three dozen SDSU staff, faculty, alumni and students met with HACU officials during the Nov. 12 lunch at the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center.

SDSU is currently an associate member of HACU and its Imperial Valley Campus, with a Hispanic student population of 77 percent, is considered a Hispanic-serving institution. 

Flores, the HACU president, said Hispanics will represent one of every two new workers entering the U.S. labor force by 2025.

“Educating the workforce of tomorrow is a national imperative,” he said.

About HACU

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) was established in 1986 with a founding membership of 18 institutions.

Today, HACU represents approximately 450 institutions committed to Latino/a higher education success in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Latin America, Spain and Portugal. HACU is the only national association that represents existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). For more information, visit www.hacu.net.