FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 13, 2021
National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week recognized by the White House
SAN ANTONIO – Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) across the country are being recognized this week by President Biden, during National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week, before the start of Hispanic Heritage Month being celebrated Sept. 15-Oct. 15.
On September 13, the White House issued a proclamation designating September 12-18, 2021, as National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week. To read the full proclamation, click here.
"For decades, Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) have played a key role in preparing Hispanic American scholars, artists, researchers, scientists, educators, and other leaders who make our communities and our Nation stronger, more resilient, and more equitable. HSIs advance the foundational American ideals of equity and justice by preparing graduates to contribute their God-given talents and help solve some of the greatest challenges facing our Nation and our world," states President Biden in the proclamation.
Each year, Hispanic-Serving Institutions from around the country celebrate HSIs Week with activities on their campus.
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. (Click here for more information about the differences between HACU's definition of HSIs and the federal definition of HSIs under Title V of the Higher Education Act.)
Congress first formally recognized campuses with high Hispanic enrollment as federally designated HSIs in 1992, and in 1995 HSIs received the initial federal appropriations.
Below are some links to additional information about HSIs:
- Tips on celebrating HSIs Week on Campus here.
- List of Hispanic-Serving Institutions here.
- Fact Sheet: Hispanic Higher Education and HSIs - 2019 here.
Celebrate the role HSIs play in improving access to education and advancing equity for historically underserved students. Tag @HACUNews on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use hashtag #HSIsWeek.
About HACU
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, founded in 1986, represents more than 500 colleges and universities in the United States, Latin America, Spain and school districts throughout the U.S. The mission of HACU is to Champion Hispanic Success in Higher Education. HACU is the only national association representing existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). The Association’s headquarters are in San Antonio, Texas, with regional offices in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento, California. This year HACU celebrates the 35th Anniversary since its founding. More information is available at www.hacu.net.
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Contact:
Norma Jean Revilla-Garcia
Executive Director of Communications and Marketing
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
Phone: (210) 576-3206 E-Mail: njgarcia@hacu.net
Christopher de Hoyos
Assistant Director of Communications and Social Media
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
Phone: (210) 576-3242 E-Mail: chris.dehoyos@hacu.net