Pima Community College Supports Excelencia in Education’s New Analysis About Hispanic-Serving Institutions Over 25 Years
Tucson, AZ -- At a critical juncture in the Arizona – and the nation’s – economic recovery, Pima Community College is proud to join with national higher education leader Excelencia in Education to bring to the public, “25 Years of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs),” a new, major research project.
This effort, supported by Pima and other committed institutions from across the United States, has produced a robust set of analyses to inform educational policy makers, academic researchers, elected officials, and foundations how best to serve Latino students in higher education.
On Thursday, March 25, at 7:30 a.m. Tucson time, Pima will co-host a virtual event, “Arizona Briefing on 25 Years of HSIs in Accelerating Latino Student Success.” Registration is free and open to the public at Arizona Briefing.
“Pima Community College is proud of its long history as a Hispanic-Serving Institution,” Pima Chancellor Lee D. Lambert says. “In these challenging times, it is critical to actively address equity, with a Latino lens, for our college, students and our country.”
Four colleges and universities in Arizona are among the country’s higher education leaders who invested in this vital, national project.
“Good ideas and work need support,” said Sarita Brown, Excelencia’s President. “We thank Chancellor Lambert and Pima Community College for making common cause with Excelencia and for their leadership and investment in this important research that informs the nation as we navigate current challenges and sets the course for the future.”
Chancellor Lambert and Pima have a strong working relationship with Excelencia. Chancellor Lambert is affiliated with Excelencia’s Presidents for Latino Student Success, a network of leaders who are working to make their institutions learning environments where Latino students, and all their students, thrive.
The year 2020, marked 25 years since Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) were first funded through specific federal legislation. Excelencia in Education has taken responsibility for chronicling the impact and changes of HSIs over the years. The new research reveals Arizona HSIs often enroll and graduate a disproportionate number of the Latino students so needed for an educated workforce and citizenry .Along with documenting the seminal role HSIs have played in increasing Latino college completion and the value of federal investment in these institutions, the new research informs the powerful engagement by leaders in higher education and policy sectors at a critical time in our country when record numbers of Latino students should be enrolling in colleges and universities.
“Closing equity gaps in degree attainment requires investing in the institutions enrolling and graduating Latino students in Arizona and across the country,” said Deborah Santiago, Excelencia’s CEO. “Learning what these institutions are doing to intentionally serve Latino students and accelerating their impact is critical at the state and federal levels.”
About Excelencia in Education
Excelencia in Education accelerates Latino student success in higher education by promoting Latino student achievement, conducting analysis to inform educational policies, and advancing institutional practices while collaborating with those committed and ready to meet the mission. Launched in 2004 in the nation’s capital, Excelencia has established a network of results-oriented educators and policymakers to address the U.S. economy’s needs for a highly educated workforce and engaged civic leaders. For more information, visit: http://www.EdExcelencia.org