In a new report, Excelencia in Education analyzes how Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), which enroll over 65% of Latinx students, are strategically planning for their Latinx students’ workforce success.
The report, titled “Tapping Latino Talent: How HSIs are Preparing Latino Students for the Workforce,” highlights four institutions as part of a case study including Felician University, Florida International University, Lehman College and Texas Woman’s University.
“We needed to understand what the institutions are doing and how can they better change what they’re doing to better serve the students,” said Deborah Santiago, co-founder and CEO of Excelencia.
According to the report, 16% of the workforce is Latinx and 75% has a high school degree or higher compared to 90% of White, African American and Asian populations. Additionally, 22% of Latinxs in the workforce are enrolled in management, professional and related occupations compared to 41% of their White counterparts.
Through the case studies, the report identified a number of strategies the institutions had in common on how best to serve Latinx students.
Rather than only through career services, workforce preparation occurs on all aspects of the campus. Faculty and career services staff often collaborate and workforce development goals are included in strategic plans. According to the report, 44% of Latinx students are first-generation compared to 22% of White students.
The institutions have adapted to both the changing workforce and student bodies by offering more flexible courses as well as evening or weekend events and creating mentorship programs.
