Achieving "First in the World": Hispanic Serving Institutions and Closing the Attainment Gap

Introduction Latino student college enrollment is necessary in meeting President Barack Obama's ambitious "first in the world" goal to have the highest proportion of college graduates by 2020. In fall of 2012, Latinos outnumbered their White counterparts in higher education enrollment. (1) The federal government supports capacity building at institutions of higher education that enroll a significant amount of low-income and minority students through grants. Established in 1992 under the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, the federal government defined Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) as, among other things, institutions with over 25 percent full-time equivalent enrollment of Hispanic students, and recognized HSIs as a means to support Latino students in postsecondary education. These supports are necessary as Latino student share of enrollment in higher education has increased over the past three decades, (2) yet Latino degree completion rates still lag behind those of their racial/ethnic counterparts. Data from the US Department of Education reports only 13.1 percent of Hispanics age 25 to 29 had earned a bachelor's degree or higher, compared with 17.8 percent of Blacks, 31.1 percent of Whites, and 50.4 percent of Asians. (3) HSIs enroll more than half of all Latino undergraduate students and consequently are essential in targeting this growing population of degree-seeking students. Improving these programs is prudent in promoting Latino college completion and making sure the United States is "first in the world. " Tide V, Part A, of the Higher Education Act, known as "Developing Hispanic Serving Institutions," creates a competitive grant program to expand educational opportunities for Latino students. In order for institutions of higher education to qualify for this capacity-building funding, they must meet the requirement of 25 percent enrollment of Hispanic students, in addition to having a 50 percent enrollment of needy students (i.e., Pell Grant eligible). Moreover, this program aims to expand and enhance academic offerings, program quality, and stability for institutions that are helping Hispanic students complete postsecondary degrees. The gram can be used for one or more combinations of allowable activities, including the purchase of books, tutoring, and establishment of an endowment fund. Hispanic National Trends in Higher Education In the 2011-2012 academic year. Latinos attended college at higher rates than their White counterparts. A report by the Pew Center on Hispanic Trends states: "According to the Census Bureau, 49 percent of young Hispanic high school graduates were enrolled in college. By comparison, 47 percent of White non-Hispanic high school graduates were enrolled in college. " 4 Even though overall enrollment for Latinos increased, projections indicate that this growth in college enrollment proves inadequate. According to the Lumina Foundation, "To reach an attainment rate of 60 percent by 2025, the nation must produce 62 million high-quality postsecondary credentials. At current rates, the US will produce around 39 million two- and four-year college degrees between now and 2025, leaving a gap of 23 million. " 5 As Latinos continue to make up a growing share of undergraduate enrollment, ensuring this population completes their degrees will aid in closing the degree attainment gap. As mentioned, Latinos lag behind other racial and ethnic counterparts in degree completion. A study by Angela McGlynn problematizes the fact that Latinos are increasingly enrolling in institutions of higher education, but not necessarily completing their degrees. The researcher cites: "Only 50 percent of students enrolled in the first year of college in 2006 had completed a degree by the year 2012. " (6) Beyond access to higher education, providing students the support they need to help complete postsecondary education will benefit society and the economy overall. …