Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement in celebration of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) Week which is observed from September 18 to 24, 2017. Cortez Masto is a proud cosponsor of the Senate Resolution recognizing the work, goals, and achievements of over 470 non-profit Hispanic Serving Institutions throughout our nation.
“A college education has never been so important. Unfortunately, those who come from families with limited resources are all too often deprived of the opportunity to take advantage of the country’s prestigious higher education system. This is especially common among Latinos, who are disproportionately underrepresented in colleges and universities throughout the country. The U.S. Department of Education’s Developing Hispanic-Serving Intuitions program works towards ensuring that colleges and universities that have large Latino student bodies benefit from the tools and resources they need to empower these students in their college years. Programs like this one are essential to promoting more equitable access to higher education in the U.S. This week reminds us of the HSI program’s importance to the Latino community and its power to change lives.”
BACKGROUND:
The HSI program provides additional resources to colleges and university that serve student bodies with over a quarter Latino students. Out of the more than 470 member colleges and universities, three are in Nevada: College of Southern Nevada (CSN) and Nevada State College (NSC) in Clark County, and Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) in Washoe County. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, has a pending application to join the HSI program.
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