In 1986, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) was founded as a national organization to advocate for Hispanic students.
By 1992, HACU was leading an effort to convince the United States Congress to formally recognize campuses with high Hispanic enrollment as federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institutions.
Following the push by HACU, HSIs were defined by the Higher Education Act as degree-granting institutions with full-time Equivalent undergraduate enrollments that are at least 25% Hispanic.
According to HACU, the number of HSIs increased from 137 institutions in 1990 to 172 in 1995, 230 in 2000, and 253 in 2005.
In 2010, 311 institutions met the federal enrollment criterion, enrolling 1,348,513 Hispanic students in postsecondary (non-profit) schools.
HSIs represented 9% of non-profit colleges and universities in the country, yet enrolled 16% of all students in postsecondary (non-profit) schools and served 54% of all Hispanic students.
In 2011, Senators Robert Menendez and John Cornyn introduced a resolution to recognize the contributions of HSIs in their communities.
Congressmen Raúl Grijalva and Rubén Hinojosa also introduced H.R. 400 in the House to acknowledge the establishment of a National HSIs Week and commemorate the 25th anniversary of HACU.
HSI Week was created to commemorate the contributions of Hispanic-serving institutions nationwide in their work to advance postsecondary student success for all students.
It heightens awareness of the vital role HSIs play in improving access to education and advancing equity for traditionally underserved students.
Western New Mexico University is a founding member of HACU.
Associate Professor of Finance Miguel Vicéns, who is active in HACU, recently told WNMU that “As a founding member of HACU, WNMU prides itself on serving all students and populations. “Many of our graduates are first-generation students whose parents never had the chance to attend college, he added. “These students make their families proud, and it is always heartwarming to see them all celebrate their son’s and daughter’s achievements together.”
Metropolitan State University has proudly held the HSI designation since 2019.
This year, MSU Denver participated by hosting several events. They included discussions about what HSI means on Monday, September 11, and the Oaxacan Youth Philharmonic King Center Recital on Thursday, September 14.
On Saturday, September 16, the Department of Music will treat alums, community members, current students, faculty, and staff members with the Viva Southwest Mariachi Festival.
Hosted by the Latino Cultural Arts Center (LCAC) and the Metropolitan State University Music Department, the Viva Southwest Mariachi Festival is returning to Levitt Pavilion Denver for a spectacular night of Mariachi.
The event will celebrate the best Youth talent from across the state with the Mariachi Estelares de Colorado.
Headlining the festival is Latin Grammy Award Winner Flor de Toloache. The all-female group mixes tradition and innovation, breaking boundaries with its edgy, versatile, and fresh take on traditional Latin American music.
Like the legendary love potion that the Toloache flower represents in Mexico, the talented New York ensemble casts a spell over audiences with soaring vocals and elegance.
HSI Week overlaps on the calendar with Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins on Friday, September 15, 2023.
WNMU has announced the campus will be kicking off Hispanic Heritage Month with music and food at the Swimming Pool Patio. Food service will begin at 6:00, and the evening’s theme will include a live performance by Grant County native Keana Huerta, followed by DJ Paulina Escalante.
It's HSI Week! 🎉
We have proudly held the title of Hispanic-Serving Institution since 2019.
Being an HSI is about more than just enrollment; it is also about our commitment to serving students.
Celebrate HSI week on campus: https://t.co/Aw0kGA4E0K@usedgov#HSIWeek pic.twitter.com/u45Q34Bchh
— MSU Denver (@msudenver) September 11, 2023
We don't want to oversell it, but there's a lot of fun stuff this week👇 https://t.co/YDTshJAPUJ pic.twitter.com/ujWONoKkKf
— MSU Denver (@msudenver) September 11, 2023
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