Tag Archives: Latinos

September 5, 2011, 8:56 pm

Are We Ready for the Influx of Latino Students?

According to the Pew Hispanic Center, in 2010 there was a 24-percent increase in Latino enrollment in college. The sharp increase took place in one year and greatly helped the U.S. reach a historic high in terms of college enrollment—something the Obama Administration as well as several major foundations (including Lumina and Gates) have been pushing with vigor.

Latinos, ranging from 18 to 24 years old, make up 1.8 million of the 12.2 million college-aged students in the country. These young people are helping the nation to meet its education goals and at a rapid pace.

Over half of Latino students are enrolled at Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI’s). But what about the rest of these new students? Most are at Predominantly White Institutions (PWI’s). Are these PWI’s ready for the influx of Latino students? My guess is no.

Many of the PWI’s boasting new growth in their…

April 1, 2011, 6:07 pm

Learning About Latinos and Hispanic Serving Institutions

By Marybeth Gasman

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Hispanic population increased by 43%, rising from 35.3 million in 2000 to 50.5 million in 2010. Latinos now account for 16% of the nation’s population. As this change in demographics took place, there was also a change in the student populations of many of the country’s historically white institutions. Many of these colleges and universities now enroll and educate a student body that is at least 25% Latino, making them Hispanic Serving Institutions.

We currently have, according to Excelencia in Education, 265 Hispanic serving institutions that meet the federal government’s definition. If population trends continue, this number will increase rapidly and this leads me to wonder what we really know about Latino college students and more specifically, Hispanic Serving Institutions. What are researchers studying? What do campus…