On Wednesday, President Joe Biden held a significant event to commemorate his executive order aimed at boosting financial resources for Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) and establishing a board of advisors dedicated to these colleges and universities.
Hispanic-serving institutions, which are nonprofit colleges with at least 25% of their full-time equivalent undergraduate enrollment identifying as Hispanic, play a vital role in promoting educational and economic equity, as noted by the White House.
With nearly three-quarters of the U.S. population growth attributed to Hispanic individuals, based on recent U.S. Census Bureau figures, leaders in higher education are pressing the president to raise awareness about this new initiative. They believe it holds the promise of assisting Hispanic students in bridging the gap in education relative to their peers from other backgrounds.
Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona expressed in a statement on X, “Hispanic-serving institutions are places that make dreams come alive for students nationwide. Supporting inclusive environments ultimately benefits everyone.”
This event followed the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), a nonprofit advocacy organization, releasing a petition urging Biden to host a public gathering to highlight the HSI initiative.
Advocates for higher education within Latino communities express optimism about the federal government’s commitment to bolster hundreds of local colleges and universities.
Antonio R. Flores, CEO of HACU and attendee at the ceremony, commended Biden for his decisive action towards enhancing the success of HSIs. He remarked that the executive order signals a federal recognition of the importance of these institutions to the nation’s future.
Flores stated, “The various forms of assistance designated for HSIs through this executive order mark the beginning of a new era for our educational institutions, enhancing the environment in which they operate. This ensures that HSIs are included in discussions, allowing their students access to equitable and available education, which is essential to achieving the American dream that increasingly hinges on obtaining a college degree.”
Students of Latino backgrounds are optimistic that this executive order will aid HSIs in upgrading their facilities, as well as enhancing their capability to provide resources in multiple languages.
According to federal data, there are over 500 HSIs across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, serving more than 4.7 million students annually. Many of these students come from low-income backgrounds, with nearly one-third qualifying for Pell Grants, which are federal financial aid awards for students in need.
In contrast to historically Black colleges and universities or Native American tribal colleges, which gain their designations through specific missions, any institution can attain the HSI designation and access corresponding federal funding if at least 25% of its student body is Hispanic.
Hispanic individuals, who may belong to various racial backgrounds, represent the second-largest demographic group in the U.S. Their population saw an increase of approximately 1.2 million last year, reaching 65.2 million, thus comprising almost 20% of the total U.S. population, according to census data.
This executive order aims to enhance HSIs’ capabilities in delivering quality education, making full use of existing federal programs, and improving the educational and economic prospects of their students.
Neera Tanden, a White House domestic policy advisor, emphasized in an emailed statement, “HSIs are essential in ensuring that Latinos can access the middle class and realize their aspirations. The president’s executive order will fortify these vital institutions, enhancing their ability to promote economic mobility for all students.”