Unpacking the Performativity of Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Designation: Holding the University of Accountable and Developing a Call to Action

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Thursday 2:15pm
  In Poster Session: Division G VP Session: The Social Context of Education and MSI's

Abstract

There are only a handful of institutions in the nation to simultaneously hold the Carnegie distinction of “very high research activity” and the designation of Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Yet some of these institutions have historically provided little if any resources to support and retain Hispanic-identifying students. This contradiction is so striking that the small population of Latine graduate students refer the University as an HEI – Hispanic Enrolling Institute – rather than an HSI. How can we explain the apparent contradictions of the university’s continued celebrated distinction as an HSI while its own institutional data shows evidence that it is merely committed to enrolling Hispanic students and less interested in serving them?

Authors

• Nancy López, University of New Mexico

• Angeles Rubi Castorena, University of California - Irvine

• Florence Emily Castillo, Texas Christian University