National Authority on Latinos in Higher Education Unveils Annually Updated Information on HSIs

For information contact:
Media Contact: Chino Chapa, 214.669.4429 or chino@edexcelencia.org

New research data shows a growing number of institutions enrolling increasing number of Latino students across U.S.

Washington, D.C. – For the 15th year in a row, Excelencia in Education, a leading authority on accelerating Latino student success, has conducted and released its annual analysis that provides insight on Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), Emerging HSIs, and HSIs with graduate programs.

Even in these challenging times, Excelencia remains committed to lead and inform the field by sharing its research at no cost to highlight the opportunities for serving Latino students and supporting institutions intentionally serving them. Excelencia’s analysis, based on the most recent public data available, shows growth in the numbers of HSIs and Emerging HSIs, more HSIs offering graduate-level programs, and increased enrollment by Latinos in regions not normally known for Hispanic enrollment.

“As the young Latino population grows, along with their enrollment in college, so too does the opportunity to serve these students better,” said Deborah Santiago, Excelencia CEO and a national expert on HSIs. “The very foundation of higher education is changing, and we need institutional transformation to more intentionally serve Latino students.”

Excelencia’s analysis revealed interesting insights to inform policy and practice:

• Less than 20% of colleges and universities enroll over 65% of all Latinos in higher education. In 2018-19, 539 institutions (17% of all) enrolled 67% of Hispanic students
• The number of HSIs continues to grow. Over the last 10 years, the number of HSIs has grown 93% (from 280 to 539)—and this growth is projected to continue.
• Half of all states have at least one HSI and 70% have an Emerging HSI. HSIs are in 27 states/locations and include Arkansas, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
• The majority of HSIs are 4-year and public colleges and universities. Over half of HSIs (54%) are 4-year institutions, and 69% are public.

For more detailed analysis and access to this analysis, visit https://www.edexcelencia.org/research/hispanic-serving-institutions-hsis.

Released in coordination with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)

Save the date: May 6, 2020 Excelencia will host a free webinar at 1 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss the new HSI analysis as well as opportunities for serving Latino students. Excelencia is currently researching the historical impact of HSIs to be issued Fall 2020.

Federal law defines HSIs as accredited, degree-granting public or private not-for-profit institutions of higher education with 25 percent or more total undergraduate Hispanic full-time equivalent student (FTE) enrollment. To create this list, Excelencia uses the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), which is maintained by the U.S. Department of Education with the most recent data as of March 2020.

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 is building 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: http://www.EdExcelencia.org 

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