{"id":49522,"date":"2023-09-13T11:05:42","date_gmt":"2023-09-13T16:05:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/news\/?p=49522"},"modified":"2023-09-13T16:14:46","modified_gmt":"2023-09-13T21:14:46","slug":"tarleton-state-launches-nuestro-destino-to-reach-hsi-status","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/news\/tarleton-state-launches-nuestro-destino-to-reach-hsi-status\/","title":{"rendered":"Tarleton State Launches\u00a0Nuestro Destino\u00a0to Reach HSI Status\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"HSI\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

STEPHENVILLE, Texas \u2014 Tarleton State kicked off Nuestro Destino: Reaching 25 by 25<\/em> Tuesday as part of its month-long Hispanic Heritage Celebration. Aligning with the university\u2019s 10-year strategic plan, the campaign (Our Destination<\/em>) begins Tarleton\u2019s journey to become a Hispanic-Serving Institution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. Department of Education recognizes nonprofit two- and four-year postsecondary schools with an undergraduate Hispanic student population of at least 25 percent (50 percent Pell Grant eligible). HSI status enables institutions to compete for federal funding that supports first-generation students, professional development for faculty and enhancements to curriculum. Considering that 54 percent of the university\u2019s students are first-gen, this funding would benefit all Tarleton Texans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With almost 23 percent of its full-time undergraduate population identifying as Hispanic, Tarleton State is well on its way to achieving HSI status by 2025 if not before, said university President James Hurley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cReaching HSI status has never been just about numbers,\u201d Dr. Hurley said. \u201cIt\u2019s about ensuring that every<\/em> student who wants a university education has the opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to U.S. Census Bureau June estimates, Hispanics compose the largest share of the Texas population (40.2 percent), and the Labor Department estimates that nearly 20 percent of the nation\u2019s workforce will be Hispanic by 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Hurley: \u201cBeing known as a university that values Hispanic contributions and capabilities is an honor worth having. The growing Hispanic influence in our region can only strengthen our economy and competitiveness. That Tarleton State provides the transformative education to make this happen is extremely gratifying.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once Tarleton\u2019s Hispanic enrollment hits 25 percent, the university can apply for HSI status. A steering committee of faculty, staff and students is refining the university\u2019s roadmap, pinpointing resource needs, facilitating conversations with stakeholders, researching exemplary HSI institutions and programs, and identifying current services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The committee members:<\/p>\n\n\n\n