MONMOUTH — Western Oregon University junior Brenda Rocio Martinez of Woodburn was among five students on a panel that presented to the 2024 Hispanic Serving Institution Summit recently showcased by the university.
Western hosted its third annual HSI Summit in late April, inviting state and national partners along with university and greater community members to share ideas and best-practices. WOU sources noted that a goal of hosting these summits is to bring together the campus, the community, and both regional and national partners to discuss what it means to become an HSI and why it is so critically important to the success of students and the greater community.
The summit also supports the White House Executive Order 14045 on advancing educational equity excellence and economic opportunity for Hispanics.
WOU is eyeing eligibility to obtaining official HSI designation. In the fall of 2023 the school full-time equivalent undergraduate enrollment was 25.2 percent Hispanic; its combined graduate and undergraduate was 24.1 percent.
WOU’s Assistant Director of Marketing & Communications Brittany Kima said Western is the first four-year public Oregon institution to achieve these numbers, bringing it closer to becoming eligible to obtain an official Hispanic Serving Institution designation.
Rocio Martinez is a first-generation Latina student majoring in public policy and administration. Earlier this year she noted that WOU’s growing latinè student base, its bilingual advisors, staff and cultural programs played heavily in her decision to attend the Monmouth school. She was among a handful of students featured on the Amazon Prime series “ The College Tour ” which will be available to stream later this month.
In 2021, Rocio Martinez was named First Princess on the Woodburn Fiesta Mexicana court .
Kima said to achieving official HSI designation, Western must maintain a minimum enrollment of 25 percent FTE undergraduate students for three consecutive academic years and maintain the same percentage at the end of the award year immediately preceding the application date to become an official HSI.
There are additional requirements, most of which the university has already met.
Attaining official HSI status will provide Western opportunities to apply for Title V federal grants to expand and enhance academic offerings, program quality, and student services. U.S. Department of Education statistics from 2021 show that there were 561 Hispanic Serving Institutions in 28 states, including the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
“As we look towards becoming an official Hispanic-Serving Institution, we recognize the significance of our role in empowering Latiné students and fostering their academic success,” WOU President Jesse Peters said. “Our commitment to serve all of our students extends beyond the classroom, as we strive to create an inclusive environment that values their unique perspectives, stories, and cultures. Together, we provide a personalized learning community where individuals experience a deep sense of belonging and empowerment.”
Kima noted that Western’s Latiné student enrollment has been steadily increasing for several years. Peters delights in seeing growing Latiné student enrollment and plans to see WOU’s appeal remain strong.
“Western is committed to not only sustaining current Latiné enrollment numbers but also enhancing student engagement, support, and enrollment,” Peters said. “This will be achieved through increased participation in community events, additional bilingual campus liaisons, enhanced bilingual resources, expanding the Latiné alumni network, and restructuring key campus areas to facilitate smoother communication and reduce barriers. This is a journey we are all on together.”
Western is also a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities .
Most Popular
Comments / 0