Hispanic-Serving Institution Initiative

What is “HSI”?

“Hispanic-Serving Institution” (HSI) is a federal designation for colleges with at least 25% Hispanic enrollment and a significant proportion of low-income students.

HSI at UNT: Although HSIs make up a small percentage of colleges, they enroll about two-thirds of Hispanic undergraduates in the U.S. UNT is one of only 22 universities with this designation and a Tier One research institution, proudly serving as a founding member of the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities.

Why is the HSI designation important to UNT?

UNT is committed to serving underrepresented and underserved communities, preparing students for success in a rapidly changing world. As the largest public university in the diverse North Texas region, UNT strives to be a welcoming institution for ALL students.

What is the HSI Initiative?

UNT seeks to leverage its HSI status to expand support for all students, focusing on their success from enrollment through graduation and beyond.

In service of this mission, UNT will:

• Analyze data on student enrollment, persistence, graduation, and post-graduation success to better understand student needs.
• Gather feedback from students to identify areas of improvement.
• Explore best practices to strengthen academic support, advising, and developmental education.
• Engage faculty in improving institutional practices to support all students.
• Assess available resources to meet the needs of all students.
• Enhance collaboration with community colleges to facilitate student transfers.
• Identify funding opportunities to expand educational access and success.
  Promote UNT's HSI status to attract prospective students, faculty, and staff.

How does UNT support every student's success?

Pre-College Programs

• Trio-Talent Search: Focuses on increasing the number of college graduates from Cooke and Denton counties by assisting students with academic enrichment, college enrollment, and financial aid processes.
• TRIO Upward Bound: Works to increase the rate at which pre-college students graduate from secondary education and enroll in and complete postsecondary education.
• Latinas in Progress (LIP): A pre-college program sponsored by the Hispanic Women's Network of Texas (HWNT), which helps prepare high school seniors for college. UNT partners with HWNT to host LIP, bringing students on campus as part of their college tours across the DFW Metroplex.
• G-Force Mentorship Program: Assists high school and college students in navigating the higher education system. Recognizing the stress that comes with the college process, G-Force Mentors are trained to eliminate barriers and help students achieve their goals. Their services include guiding students through college admissions and financial aid applications, offering insights into various higher education options, and providing support for any additional needs students and their families may have.

College Programs

• Student Support Services: A federally funded TRIO program designed to improve retention and graduation rates for low-income, first-generation students and students with documented disabilities.
• Latina/o and Mexican American Studies (LMAS) program: Offers a bachelor’s degree in Latina/o Culture, Economy, and Policy and a certification in Latina/o and Mexican American Studies through the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

Programs for New and Current Students

• Emerald Eagle Scholars: A program for academically talented students with high financial need, the Emerald Eagle Scholars Program provides financial support, academic resources, and campus engagement to help students succeed at the University of North Texas. By offering grants, fostering academic achievement, and encouraging involvement in university life, the program supports timely degree completion and personal growth.
• ACCESS Mentors: A mentoring program to help new students connect with the UNT community, utilize campus resources and stay on track for a four-year graduation. Students are paired with a peer mentor and participate in meetings and campus events throughout the year.

Campus and Community Activities and Associations

• Association of Latino Professionals for America
• Eagle Dreamers
• Folxlórico de North Texas
• Hispanic Student Association
• Latin Dreams
• Latinx Hispanic Student Union
• Mueve
• National Association of Hispanic Journalists
• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
• Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (UNT SACNAS)

Fraternities and Sororities

• Omega Delta Phi Fraternity, Inc. (ODPhi)
• Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. (LTA)
• Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, Inc. (KDChi)
• Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc. (Gammas)

Student Resources for Support and Engagement

• Center for Belonging and Engagement: Dedicated to creating an inclusive campus environment where students of all identities can thrive. The Center promotes a sense of belonging, enhances awareness of underserved student populations, and ensures student success through various programs and services.
• First-Generation Success Center: Tailored resources designed to help first-generation students successfully navigate their college journey and achieve both academic and personal success.
• Non-Traditional and Commuter Student Support: Specialized resources and services for commuter, off-campus, graduate and non-traditional students to enhance their collegiate experience.

Memberships and Collaborations

• Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU): UNT is a proud member, offering access to conferences, workshops, scholarships, and networking opportunities. HACU's events, including the National Capitol Forum on Hispanic Higher Education and the Annual Conference, provide a vital platform for advocacy, collaboration, and career development.
• Latino Advisory Committee and Latinx Alumni Network: The Latino Advisory Committee, established in 2019, collaborates with UNT Alumnus Bob Garza to promote engagement. In 2021, the Latinx Alumni Network was formally recognized by the UNT Alumni Association, further supporting alumni and seeking new members.
• Ventanilla de Orientación Educativa: In partnership with the Consulate of Mexico in Dallas, UNT works to improve recruitment and retention of Hispanic students. In 2021, UNT opened a Community GO Center at the Consulate to assist with college preparation and enrollment, staffed by UNT students through the G-Force Mentorship Program.