What is an HSI?

In 2014, Springfield Technical Community College received the federal designation of a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI). Hispanic-serving Institutions (HSIs) are universities, colleges, or systems/districts where total Hispanic enrollment is comprised of a minimum of 25% of the total enrollment, which includes full- and part-time students of the institution. Currently, 29.1% of STCC's student population self-identifies as Hispanic/Latinx.

STCC is one of six Hispanic-serving Institutions in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and one of 12 HSIs in New England. Other MA HSIs are Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, Cambridge College, Holyoke Community College, Northern Essex Community College, and Urban College of Boston. Connecticut's Capital Community College, Gateway Community College, Housatonic Community College, Naugatuck Community College, Norwalk Community College, and University of Connecticut-Stamford round out the HSIs in New England.

In order for an institution of higher education to be designated as an Hispanic-serving Institution, a formal application must be submitted to the federal government. Below are the three criteria needed for application:

Below is a timeline that led to the development of Hispanic-serving Institutions into the lexicon of higher education within the United States.

Q&A:

• What is Latinx? The term Latinx is a gender-neutral alternative to Latino, Latina, and Latin@, referring to persons with cultural ties to Latin America and those of Latin American descent.
• What is LULAC v. Richards? It was the class action lawsuit that prompted the south Texas border initiative and enhanced access to higher education for Mexican Americans living along the south Texas border. See https://repository.library.northeastern.edu/files/neu:1117 for more details.
• What is HACU? The Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities (HACU) was established in 1986, committed to academic success for Hispanic students. See http://www.hacu.net/hacu/default.asp for more information.