Photo credit: The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
Today, Dr. Steven R. Gonzales, Chancellor of the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD), joined President Joe Biden, members of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, UnidosUS, U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel A. Cardon, and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) presidents and chancellors for the ceremonial signing of Executive Order 14124.
“It was an honor to join higher education and community advocates from across the nation at the White House to witness President Joe Biden’s commitment to providing Hispanic and Latino communities with equal access to higher education through HSIs,” said Gonzales. “Participating in this initiative aligns with our system’s mission to eliminate barriers and support Hispanic and Latino students in achieving their academic and career goals.”
Commitment to HSIs
The new executive order establishes the first-ever White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity Through HSIs. The initiative aims to identify best practices, promote the availability of federal programs and resources, and develop and strengthen collaborations amongst HSIs and public and private sector organizations. Additionally, the first President’s Board of Advisors on HSIs will be established to further the goals outlined in the order, reinforcing the federal government’s commitment to advancing opportunities for HSIs and the students they serve.
Why It Matters
According to Excelenica in Education, Hispanic and Latino students accounted for 79% of the 4% increase in graduate-level degree attainment from the academic years 2017-18 to 2021-2022. Nationwide, postsecondary institutions that serve Hispanic and Latino students are predominantly HSIs, which educate 63% of all Latino students in the U.S. Amongst Hispanic and Latino students, nearly a third enroll in a two-year institution. MCCCD has long been at the forefront of supporting Hispanic and Latino students. Today, 38% of the system’s diverse student population identifies as Hispanic. Furthermore, each of the system’s 10 colleges are designated HSIs.
MCCCD is the nation’s largest community college system, serving 140,000 students across its 10 colleges and 31 satellite locations. During the 2022-23 academic year, the system enrolled more Hispanic and Latino students than all three in-state universities combined.
About HSIs
In order to receive the HSI designation from the U.S. Department of Education, higher education institutions must have an enrollment of at least 25% Hispanic undergraduate students. During the 2022-23 academic year, there were 600 HSIs.