U.S. Department of Education Designates Manhattan College as a Hispanic Serving Institution
College enrollment of Hispanic students has increased more than 10% since 2013.
Manhattan College has been named a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education, a major milestone that reaffirms the College’s commitment to a diverse student population. HSI is a federal program designed to assist Hispanic students in higher education institutions. 
The College’s Hispanic enrollment has climbed steadily over the past decade. In Fall 2013, 18.4% of the student population was Hispanic/Latino. In Fall 2022, Hispanic/Latino enrollment had grown to 28.5%. To become an HSI, a college enrollment of Hispanic students must reach at least 25%.
An HSI designation allows the College to apply for the Title V Developing Hispanic Service Institution Grant. These grants can provide funding for many different projects including developing new academic programs and courses, expanding student support services and improving faculty diversity.
There are many advantages to achieving HSI status that are beneficial to the entire campus community. Latino students at Hispanic-Serving Institutions generally have higher graduation rates than Latino students at non-HSIs, according to a December 2017 report from The Education Trust, a nonprofit organization that advocates for low-income students. HSI’s offer a variety of support to Hispanic students including tutoring, academic advising and financial aid counseling, all which can lead to greater student success.
As of March 2023, there are more than 570 Hispanic Serving Institutions in the U.S. according to the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. HSIs enroll five million students and two-thirds of all Hispanic undergraduates. HSIs also enroll 31.2% of Pell grant recipients.
“We are proud to be named a Hispanic Serving Institution and continue to be committed to providing our Hispanic students with the resources and support they need to succeed academically, professionally and personally,” said William Clyde, executive vice president and provost. “Achieving this designation is a testament to the hard work of our faculty, staff and students. It allows us to tap into the grants available from the Department of Education that will help facilitate the success of our Hispanic students in the years to come.”