UTSA Accelerates Student Success by Intentionally Serving Latinos, Report Says
March 24, 2021 - San Antonio
By Jade Esteban Estrada, Staff Writer | San Antonio Sentinel
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- Since the 1994-1995 academic year, the Hispanic student population has grown at UTSA from 35% of total enrollment to 56%
- UTSA has developed and implemented policies, practices, and support systems to intentionally promote Latino student success and to remove barriers to graduation
According to “25 Years of Hispanic-Serving Institutions,” a new research report released by Excelencia in Education that is funded in part by The University of Texas at San Antonio, federally funded Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) enroll 1.1 million more full-time equivalent students today then they did in 1994-1995, the first academic year that the HSI designation was recognized in federal law. At UTSA, during that same time frame, the Hispanic student population grew from 35% of total enrollment to 56% making it more important than ever for the university to focus on intentionally serving Latino Students, according to a UTSA spokesperson.
“The Latino population in the United States is young, growing and significantly enrolling in public institutions,” said Sarita Brown, Excelencia in Education’s President. “Through data, practice and leadership, UTSA has embraced its important mission as a Hispanic Serving Institution and it continues—even during these challenging times—to actively build pathways for equity for its students, its community and our country.”
As part of its strategic vision to become a model for student success, UTSA has developed and implemented policies, practices, and support systems to intentionally promote Latino student success and to remove barriers to graduation. These efforts are raising standards across the university, benefitting every student who attends UTSA.
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“The HSI designation is incredibly special for UTSA and our community here in San Antonio,” said UTSA President Taylor Eighmy. “Higher education is a great equalizer and our efforts to advance the success of our Hispanic students speaks to the role we play here in San Antonio and in Texas. We are committed to this important work and to ensuring that UTSA becomes a Hispanic thriving university.”
UTSA is a 2020 recipient of the Seal of Excelencia, a comprehensive certification awarded by Excelencia in Education recognizing the university’s commitment and ability to accelerate Latino student success.
Jade Esteban Estrada is a staff writer for the San Antonio Sentinel, where he covers public health and other citywide issues. jade@sasentinel.com | Twitter: @getjaded