The U.S. Department of Education has recognized Arizona State University as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. ASU’s Hispanic student population has grown considerably in the past decade.
ASU reports as of 2011, about 19% of campus undergrads identified as Hispanic or Latino. Now, 26% percent do. That’s enough that the university now qualifies for the federal designation.
Nancy Gonzales, ASU’s executive vice president, and the university's first Latina provost, announced the new designation in a video.
“This distinction demonstrates our commitment to and responsibility for the academic success of the Hispanic community," Gonzales said. "As defined in our university charter, we measure ourselves by whom we include and how they succeed.”
The U.S. Department of Education recognizes that Hispanic students often face additional hurdles to attaining a college degree. Hispanic-Serving Institutions qualify for additional federal funding opportunities to aid minority students.
The University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University and several Arizona community colleges already hold the designation.
