As America becomes an increasingly diverse country, so does the state of Texas. According to a recent U.S. Census Bureau study, there was a 20.6 percent increase in population between the years of 2000-2010. More than half of the increase can be attributed to the growth of the Hispanic population.
As the Hispanic population grows, their population on college campuses increases as well, bringing diversity onto the campuses of a number of schools in Texas, and West Texas A&M University is no exception.
As of fall 2014, 25 percent of WT students identify themselves as Hispanic, which marks an opportunity for the university. This 25 percent threshold qualifies WT to be considered as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).
According to the U.S. Department of Education, “The Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (DHSI) Program provides grants to assist HSIs to expand educational opportunities for, and improve the attainment of, Hispanic students. These grants also enable HSIs to expand and enhance their academic offerings, program quality and institutional stability.”
The 25 percent number, although a large qualifier, does not automatically constitute a school as an HSI. There are other smaller qualifications that must be met, as well as an application process and review the school must undergo. After a school has reported their 25 percent status, the Department of Education verifies the numbers and confers the HSI label to the school in consideration.
The university is currently awaiting conferral from the Department of Education, something that could take around the one-year mark. Once a school is officially recognized as an HSI, they become eligible for funding opportunities at the federal level.
“[In recent years], the available amount has been close to one million,” Dan Garcia, Vice President for Enrollment, said. “And those funding resources will help all students, not just Hispanic students. Projects we can seek funding for range from student support programs to improvements in classroom technology. There’s a lot we could do with these funds if we are awarded.”
Not only does WT consider this qualification to be exciting, it is also one that is important. Reaching out and serving people of the community is something that WT strives to do, and this status will help that goal.
“It is important that WTAMU continues to serve the people of the Panhandle. As that population becomes increasingly Hispanic, so will/should WTAMU,” Dr. Wade Shaffer, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, said.
