Build Community Relations by Connecting with Local Hispanic-Serving Institutions

by Eva Fernandez

Three keys to connecting with Hispanic Serving Institutions

 

This week (September 9-15, 2024) is National Hispanic-Serving Institutions week, so in this post we introduce you to an acronym to get to know for a special way to engage with the Latino community: HSI, short for Hispanic-Serving Institution.

The federal government created the HSI designation for colleges or universities whose enrollment is at least 25% Hispanic or Latino students.  The designation provides those institutions with access to specialized resources to improve student outcomes, including outcomes related to workforce development.

Here are some noteworthy facts about HSIs:

  • HSIs make up about 20% of the colleges and universities in the US but enroll 63% of all Latino students pursuing a degree.If you’re a Latino who attended college in the US, chances are you attended an HSI.
  • Most HSIs are four-year institutions, primarily serving undergraduate students.The large majority of HSIs are public institutions.
  • HSIs are geographically concentrated in states or regions with large Latino populations (California, Texas, Puerto Rico, and New York), but there are HSIs in 28 states and the number of HSIs grows every year: in 2023, there were 600 HSIs and 412 emerging HSIs among the 3,061 colleges and universities in the US.Find your local HSI using this dashboard from Excelencia in Education.

1. HSIs are a great place to build community ties

Collaborating with an HSI is a direct way to strengthen your ties to the local Latino community.  This will enhance the reputation of your business as well as foster trust and loyalty among Latino customers.  One way to start building a relationship with an HSI is to participate in or sponsor community events organized by the HSI: look for an office of community engagement, or simply check the institution’s calendar of events.  If you graduated from an HSI, you have an easy way in, connect with the alumni office.

2. HSIs provide you with access to a diverse talent pool

HSIs are rich sources of bilingual and culturally competent talent.  By interacting with your local HSI, you can tap into a pool of people who bring unique perspectives and skills to your business.  This can be particularly beneficial if you’re looking to expand into the Latino market or if you’re aiming to enhance the cultural competency of your business.

Get to know the career center at your local HSI to tap into the talent of the institution.  The career center will likely have a jobs portal where you can post employment or internship opportunities in your organization.  Sometimes the career center will be looking for mentors for its students, so that you can engage by donating your expertise and time, and at the same time get to know some of the students at the institution.

3. HSIs offer unique opportunities for networking and collaboration

HSIs have curricular and research expertise focused on issues of interest to the Latino community.  Access to those academic activities can provide you with valuable insights and data, and establishing a collaborative relationship could help drive innovation and help address community-specific challenges facing your organization.

At the very least, connecting with your local HSI will provide access to a specialized network of experts.  HSIs often have training opportunities for the community, including credit or non-credit coursework that could serve to upskill your workforce.

HSIs also have access to specialized funding, sometimes designed for increasing community engagement and fostering entrepreneurship.  These grant opportunities often require a partner from the community, which could be your organization.

Seize the opportunity to empower the Latino community by collaborating with an HSI

Actively seek out and build a relationship with your local HSI.  These collaborations are not just beneficial for business growth.  They also contribute to the empowerment and advancement of the Latino community.  By connecting with an HSI, you can unlock a wealth of untapped potential, offering your business a gateway to innovation, access to a diverse and skilled workforce, and valuable connections with the community.  And for the students at that HSI, your partnership can be a unique opportunity for them to engage with the local workforce.

To learn more about HSIs:

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