A Proclamation by the White House on National HSI Week
September 23, 2021
Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) across the country, such as St. Philip’s College, were recognized by President Biden, during National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week, preceding the start of Hispanic Heritage Month celebrated September 15 - October 15.
The recognition of HSIs came on September 13, after the White House issued a proclamation designating September 12-18, 2021, as National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week. For years, Hispanic-Serving Institutions from around the country have celebrated HSIs Week with activities, programs, and ceremonies on their campus.
"For decades, Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) have played a key role in preparing Hispanic American scholars, artists, researchers, scientists, educators, and other leaders who make our communities and our Nation stronger, more resilient, and more equitable. HSIs advance the foundational American ideals of equity and justice by preparing graduates to contribute their God-given talents and help solve some of the greatest challenges facing our Nation and our world," states President Biden in the proclamation.
St. Philip's College traditionally observes National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week with observance dates established by The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). In 1992, HACU led the effort to convince Congress to formally recognize campuses with high Hispanic enrollment as federally designated HSIs and to begin targeting federal appropriations to those campuses. Congress first formally recognized campuses with high Hispanic enrollment as federally designated HSIs in 1992, and in 1995 HSIs received the initial federal appropriations.
St. Philip’s College also claims another distinction: it is the only institution to have been officially designated as both an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Now in its’ second century, St. Philip’s also hold recognition for organizational leadership as a 2018 Texas Award for Performance Excellence (TAPE) and 2020 Texas Award-Next for Performance Excellence recipient.
To learn more about National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week and read the full proclamation, click here.
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