Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI)

Dandini Campus and Downtown Reno

Percent of Fall Students by Ethnicity

Truckee Meadows Community College has been designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Members of the TMCC HSI Task Force maintain many efforts for this designation.

What is an HSI?

In 1992, congress officially recognized Hispanic Serving Institutions. The Higher Education Act defines a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) as an accredited and eligible degree-granting college with at least 25% undergraduate full-time equivalent Hispanic enrollment at the end of the award year immediately preceding the date of application. The U.S. Department of Education uses the U.S. Census definition of Hispanic to award funding grants to institutions using the HSI designation. According to the U.S. Census, Hispanic refers to a person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race. Learn more about the distinction between Hispanic and Latinx.

Students and teachers holding an HSI Sign on campus

Truckee Meadows Community College has been designated a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) since 2017.

Benefits

With this designation, based on the availability of federal funding, TMCC qualifies to apply for two types of federal funding and grants: Title III and Title V.

HSI Task Force Strategic Plan

Charge

Support the mission, values and goals of the College by promoting student access and success and excellence in teaching and learning.

Purpose

As a sub-committee of the TMCC Diversity Committee, the HSI Task Force’s purpose is to provide strategies, input, and advice on efforts that support Hispanic Student success (including efforts with International Services & ESL) in the following areas: Access, Retention, Hispanic Serving Institution initiatives/compliance/strategies.

The Task Force supports the development and maintenance of a safe, inclusive, respectful and welcoming environment for faculty, staff and students where all members of the College community may thrive personally, academically and professionally.

Goals

Identify and implement strategies to improve access, retention, and overall experiences at TMCC by enhancing support systems. Analyze and apply the concept of “servingness” to enhance the effectiveness of a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) in fostering student success and a sense of belonging.

Initiatives

  1. Increase TMCC’s visibility and engagement in the Hispanic community and elevate the HSI status.
  2. Intercultural understanding training and workshops.
  3. Increase student visibility within TMCC.
  4. Maintain HSI designation status.
  5. Increase student retention, persistence, and completion.
  6. Increase the number of Latinx faculty at TMCC through targeted recruitment, sponsorship, professional development, and retention strategies.

Strategies

  1. Increase TMCC attendance at Latinx community events.
  2. Marketing/outreach material focused on parents/guardians in Spanish. Work with Marketing to get exposure to Latino news/media networks in Washoe County.
  3. Begin education on the term “serving.”
  4. Translation of financial aid outreach documents into Spanish.
  5. Continue to offer Adelante Grant to students who cannot file a FAFSA.
  6. Promote Nevada Promise Scholarship among Latinx students. Especially those that don’t qualify for FAFSA or other aid.
  7. Ensure a Spanish-speaking staff member is available at all financial aid outreach events.
  8. Hire more Latinx faculty and support personnel.
  9. Hire an HSI Grant Project Director to lead the implementation of a TitleV HSI grant (includes leadership of day-to-day direction of goals, initiatives, and strategies, and serve as the chair of the HSI Task Force)

Cycle

3 year

Committee Composition

Membership in the HSI Task Force is voluntary, and it strives to include college-wide representation from individuals who have demonstrated a strong commitment to student, staff, and faculty diversity.

Given that the Task Force is a working committee, volunteers are encouraged to consistently attend meetings, engage in discussions, and serve on working sub-committees

Chairs

HSI Task Force Members

  • Gabriel Chavez, Foreign Languages Professor
  • Cheli Cuevas, Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Academic Affairs
  • Andy Hughes, Executive Director, Admissions and Enrollment
  • Araceli Salazar Marquez, Student Activities and Leadership Associate, Student Activities and Leadership
  • Becca Franssen, Coordinator, Student Engagement and Leadership, Student Activities and Leadership
  • Felipe Gutierrez De Alba, Program Director Veteran Services, Admissions and Records
  • Jocelyn Cabrera, Summer Bridge & College Recruitment Coordinator
  • Leslie Jia, Director of Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Student Employment
  • Micaela Rubalcava, Professor of Education and Diversity Advocate
  • Mike Schulz, Director, Public Safety Department
  • Maria Sandra Jimenez, Director, TRIO Student Student Support Services Program
  • YeVonne Allen, Executive Director, Student Life and Development
  • Yuli Chavez Camarena, Director of Recruitment and Admissions of Special Populations
  • Wendy Solorio Ramirez , Student Government Association Senator

Resources

TMCC and Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Resources

Other Resources

Disclaimer: While Truckee Meadows Community College provides links to these sites to support our students, faculty and staff, these links are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute any endorsement or approval by TMCC.