HACU will hold its National Capitol Forum April 29-30

POSTED ON Apr 03, 2025

A recent report from SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers) and the Latino Donor Collaborative (LDC) highlights the vital role that Hispanic college students and young professionals play in meeting the projected demand for 11.8 million STEM professionals in the United States by 2030.

Presented during a LinkedIn panel on February 18, the “2024 SHPE-LDC U.S. Latinos in Engineering and Tech Report” reveals that undergraduate engineering enrollment among Latinos increased by 39% from 2012 to 2022, with the number of engineering degrees awarded to Hispanic students rising by 57%.

Key findings include:

22% of Hispanics aged 25-34 hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 16% of those aged 50 and older.

Master’s degrees in engineering awarded to Latinos increased by 37%, and doctoral enrollment rose by 50% from 2012 to 2022.

Latinos are projected to account for 78% of all new workers by 2030.

Hispanic participation in AI technical roles grew by 59% between 2018 and 2022.

SHPE members enjoy an 88% graduation rate, which is significantly higher than the national average of approximately 50%.

The report notes that 64% of young Latinos are motivated by the opportunity to solve real-world problems, with financial incentives (52%) and diverse career growth opportunities (50%) also influencing their interest in STEM fields. However, challenges remain, such as financial insecurity affecting 66% of Latino students.

To address these issues, the report recommends expanding mentorship programs, increasing funding for STEM initiatives, and fostering public-private partnerships to promote STEM careers.

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) holds its Annual National Capitol Forum each spring.

This two-day event includes policy briefings on the priorities of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and delegation visits to Capitol Hill, where attendees meet with congressional leaders to advocate for HSIs and the students they serve.

Highlights of the forum include informational sessions on grant opportunities, impactful plenary sessions focused on investments in Historically Underrepresented Institutions (HSIs), a Student Track known as HSInnovators, and meetings with congressional representatives.

Founded in 1986, HACU represents over 500 colleges and universities across the United States, Latin America, Spain, and various school districts throughout the U.S. HACU’s programs and services are available to all students, faculty, and staff at HACU-member institutions.