University of Texas at Arlington recognized by nation’s leading Hispanic higher education organization
ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities has named The University of Texas at Arlington its 2014 Outstanding HACU-Member Institution for the school’s contributions to Hispanic higher education.
The award recognizes excellence in support of the HACU’s mission, which includes improving access to and the quality of post-secondary educational opportunities for Hispanic students.
”We are tremendously proud of our partnership with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities as well as our commitment to the principles of an Outstanding HACU-Member Institution,” said UT Arlington President Vistasp M. Karbhari. “I’d like to acknowledge and thank our faculty and staff whose dedication to student success helps ensure our commitment to providing the very best educational experience to each of our students.”
UT Arlington’s fall enrollment reached a record of nearly 35,000 students. Of that number, about 27 percent of undergraduates are Hispanic. Earlier this year, that ratio helped UT Arlington to become a Hispanic-Serving Institution, or HSI. HSIs are eligible to apply for U.S. Department of Education grants supporting and strengthening institutions with large numbers of Hispanic students.
“Now more than ever, it is vitally important that our nation helps Hispanic students succeed and reach their full potential,” said Texas Congressman Rubén Hinojosa, ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training. “I congratulate President Karbhari for his outstanding leadership in providing quality higher education opportunities for students in the North Texas region. The Outstanding HACU-Member Institution award reflects UT Arlington’s dedication to strengthening its educational outreach to the Hispanic community.”
The announcement of the award comes just months after a report from the National Survey of Student Engagement in which Latino students at UT Arlington gave the University high marks. Nearly 92 percent of respondents ranked their entire educational experience as good or excellent. Asked whether they would attend UT Arlington if they had to do it all over again, 89.6 percent said they would.
Michele Bobadilla, senior associate vice president for outreach services and community engagement and vice provost for Hispanic student success at UT Arlington, said the University has committed itself to opening doors of opportunity to higher education for those seeking an education without limits.
“Through the University’s early outreach initiative, University Crossroads, we are providing pre-college readiness and access to first- and second-generation students from low-to-moderate income households,” Bobadilla said. “We know that earning the first diploma in a family will change the family’s trajectory. We also know that we must provide support for current students that encourage and promote persistence through graduation.”
UT Arlington’s Center for Mexican American Studies, Office of Multicultural Affairs, Latino professional and social clubs, and fraternities and sororities all promote cultural pride. They also provide academic support services and engage families in the college-going culture.
“At UT Arlington, opportunities for active involvement and community engagement are boundless,” Bobadilla added.
Christian Zlolniski, an expert in international migration and economic globalization and director of the Center for Mexican American Studies, said recognition of UT Arlington by the HACU reflects the current administration’s efforts to respond to the needs of the rapidly growing Hispanic student population.
Several collaborative initiatives between the University and the HACU have developed, including a science, technology, engineering and mathematics summit in partnership with CMAS. The STEM event will be held on the UT Arlington campus later this semester. Visit www.hacu.net/hacu/STEM_Summit.asp for more information.
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities will host its 28th annual conference Oct. 4-6 in Denver. The conference theme is “Championing Hispanic Higher Education Success: Investing in America’s Future.”
“As our nation celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities is pleased to pay tribute to UT Arlington and others in higher education who play a crucial role in educating and ensuring the future workforce of our nation,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores.
About the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
Created in 1986, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities is considered the premier Hispanic higher education organization. HACU represents approximately 450 colleges and universities committed to Hispanic higher education success in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Latin America and Spain. For more information, visit www.hacu.net.
About The University of Texas at Arlington
The University of Texas at Arlington is a comprehensive research institution and the second largest institution in The University of Texas System. The Chronicle of Higher Education ranked UT Arlington as the seventh fastest-growing public research university in 2013. U.S. News & World Report ranks UT Arlington fifth in the nation for undergraduate diversity. Visit www.uta.edu to learn more. Follow #UTAdna on Twitter.
###
Tags: