Lilienthal

MCC is named Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution for 2015-16

Marshalltown Community College received word last week that it has been named an Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution for the 2015-16 academic year.

Excelencia in Education (Excelencia) and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities announced that the 2015-16 academic year saw continued and concentrated growth in the number of Latinos attending college. As a result, there is an increase in the number of Hispanic-Serving Institutions in the United States. In general, HSIs have 25 percent or more Latino enrollment. In 2015-16, 14 percent of all institutions of higher education enrolled 64 percent of all Latino undergraduates.

Additionally, the number of Emerging HSI colleges (like MCC) approaching the 25 percent Latino student enrollment threshold also shows an upward trajectory from 310 to 323. While these numbers are promising at first glance, the success of Latino students at these schools continues to be a challenge. Excelencia and HACU are implementing programs and conducting research to inform ways to improve the success of Latino students.

“Having the highest percentage of Latino/a students of any college or university in the state of Iowa is not only a point of pride for MCC, but also a demonstration of our commitment to serving the unique needs of our students,” said Dr. Robin Lilienthal, MCC provost. “It’s very special to be named an Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution, we and look forward to the future as an HSI.”

——–

Submit local business news.

The Times-Republican invites businesses in its circulation area to submit brief items concerning their employees or businesses for the Names & Notes column, which is published on Sundays.