What Counts as a Minority-Serving Institution? Toward the Utilization of a Standardized and Uniform Definition and Typology

• In Event: Race Matters: Higher Ed Policy, MSIs, and Racially Marginalized Demographics

Abstract

Minority-Serving Institutions (MSI) are unique in their ability to support the educational advancement of students of color. Approximately one in five institutions are eligible for funding under an MSI designation, where more than half of all undergraduate students of color are enrolled in such institutions. However, there continues to be great disagreement about how to define MSIs. Researchers, policymakers, advocacy organizations, and even institutions have advanced inconsistent definitions. Given these contrasting constructions, the purpose of this proposal is to offer for a uniform typology to define MSIs. We assert that this approach will yield more accuracy to the description and study of MSIs, which will greatly benefit and inform the work of institutional leaders, advocates, policymakers, and MSI researchers.

Authors

• Mike Hoa Nguyen, New York University

• Joseph John Ramirez, University of California - Los Angeles

• Sophia A. Laderman, State Higher Education Executive Officers