HSI Initiatives

About our Designation: In 2022 Sam Houston State University officially received its federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) from the U.S. Department of Education. This designation is granted to eligible higher education institutions whose enrollment exceeds 25% or more of full-time undergraduate students who identify as Hispanic. SHSU is proud to be an HSI and a Minority Serving Institution (MSI) and utilizes our federal designation to provide educational access and academic success opportunities to every student at our institution.  

Opportunities: As an HSI, our institution is eligible for grant funding from the Department of Education, National Science Foundation, and NASA, just to name a few. Additional funding provides our institution with resources that assist with recruitment, retention, and completion initiatives.  

Programs & Initiatives: Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week, Bearkats Belong Week, Grant Writing Workshops for HSI/MSI’s. 

National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week (List of Events):

The events are not specific to the Hispanic community and are open to the entire campus community.

Bearkats Belong Week (List of Events): TBD

Grant Writing Workshops: TBD

Servingness Impact Group

The SHSU Servingness Impact Group comprises faculty, staff, and students across various divisions, departments, and disciplines. Committee members utilize national and institutional data to make informed decisions for best practices to increase student recruitment, retention, and graduation rates from underserved communities. Furthermore, the committee works to help secure Title III and Title V grants which aid in financial support granting students additional access and success opportunities. Members of the committee center their work on positive student experience, contributing to student’s success throughout their collegiate journey and post-graduation.