Purpose
This group will lead the efforts for UW-Milwaukee to become a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), a federal designation granted to U.S. institutions of higher education that enroll at least a 25% Latino undergraduate population, as provided for in federal statute, 20 U.S.C. §1101a(5). It is important to note that HSI is the only federal designation of its type, and that UWM’s efforts in this regard will enhance all multicultural student groups, and in turn, all of UWM.
This effort is being undertaken, among other reasons, to address the demographic trend that Hispanic students will (in the next 10 years) be the largest growing group of students who plan to attend college in the state of Wisconsin, the fact there are very few HSIs in the Midwest.
The CCHSI will coordinate and implement necessary activities, and serve as the key campus group of ownership, for making progress toward and achieving HSI status. Through this designation UWM will be eligible for funding that will provide significant benefits to all students, faculty and staff, including grant monies for activities that will support student recruitment and retention, faculty development, community outreach, and student support services. HSI designation will also benefit the Milwaukee community by educating an increasingly diverse population, producing UWM graduates who understand their local community, and providing a pipeline of employees for our region.
Objectives
- Conduct a comprehensive analysis of enrollment and retention data pertaining to Latino students at UWM.
- Identify existing and new high impact practices.
- Establish benchmarks and goals for each targeted area.
- Make recommendations based on our findings along with strategies necessary to become a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI)
- Monitor progress in areas of recruitment retention, development.
- Seek and secure community support and partnerships.
Where are we now?
- UWM currently holds one of the highest totals of Latino students of any campus of the UW System.
- Latinos are the fastest-growing group in Wisconsin planning to attend college.
- UWM is home to unique academic programs and centers like:
How becoming a Hispanic Serving Initiative benefits UWM & our Community
- Enhance the experience for all multicultural student groups at UWM
- Increase student/faculty/staff/curricular diversity
- Engage all stakeholders at an institutional level
- Increase opportunity for federal grant funding
- Impact Milwaukee community and surrounding areas
- Develop a more diverse workforce for our region.
Leadership Structure
Steering Committee
Andrew Daire, Provost
Dr. Chia Vang, Vice Chancellor, Community Empowerment and Institutional Inclusivity
Co-Operational Leads & Faculty Advisors
Alberto Maldonado, Director of Roberto Hernández Center (RHC)
Natasha Borges Sugiyama, Director of CLACS, Faculty – Letters & Science/Political Science
Alejandra Lopez, Assistant Director and Undergraduate Student Services
CCHSI Members
Carmen Aguilar-Diaz, Faculty – School of Freshwater Sciences
Natasha Borges Sugiyama, Director of CLACS, Faculty – Letters and Science/CLACS
Gabriela Dorantes, Academic Staff – Roberto Hernández Center
Cristina Garza, Director of Upward Bound
Jonathan Hanes, Academic Staff – Assessment & Institutional Research
Alejandra Lopez, Academic Staff – Lubar School of Business
Yolanda Medina, Director of Military and Veterans Resource Center
Maria Solis, Academic Staff – Financial Aid
Marc Young, Academic Staff – Undergraduate Admissions
Nia Suarez : UWM Student