Nine of the Maricopa County Community College's 10 sites have now been officially recognized as Hispanic-Serving Institutions, the district announced Monday.
The Chandler-Gilbert, Paradise Valley and Rio Salado community colleges are the latest institutions within the district to reach this status. This means that at least a quarter of students at each college identify as Hispanic or Latino.
“The Maricopa Community Colleges are committed to providing the best possible student experience, which includes seeking out opportunities to support our diverse student population and the 35% of our District’s students who identify as Hispanic or Latinx,” said MCCCD Interim Chancellor Dr. Steven R. Gonzales.
Nationally, HSIs represent 18% of all colleges and universities, yet enroll 67% of all Hispanic and Latinx undergraduates.
With this designation, these colleges can now apply for federal funds only available to minority-serving institutions.
Scottsdale Community College is now the only college in the district that has not reached this status, but it's close. More than 20% of SCC students identified as Hispanic or Latino last school year, according to district data.
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