Hispanic-Serving Institution designation makes the university eligible for federal funding to improve educational opportunities for all students.
Texas Tech University has achieved official designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), which makes the university eligible for up to $10 million in additional funding from the U.S. Department of Education to support the enhancement of educational opportunities for students.
"Having achieved HSI designation and eligibility for Title III and Title V funding provides opportunities that will impact the overall experience of our students, faculty and staff," said Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec. "We can now compete for additional funding for academic support services for all students, as well as innovative research projects and improved facilities."
Upon meeting the criteria in fall 2017 to apply for official HSI designation, Texas Tech immediately became an eligible institution under Titles III and V under the Higher Education Act of 1965, which was amended by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. Both are federally funded programs that provide grant support to develop and expand educational experiences, including the improvement of scientific or laboratory equipment, construction or renovation of facilities, faculty development, purchasing educational materials, tutoring or counseling, establishment and/or funding of endowments, distance learning instruction, teacher education and student support services.
"We are humbled and extremely proud that through hard work and dedication we are now an HSI," said Carol Sumner, chief diversity officer and vice president of the Texas Tech Division of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. "The resources now available through this designation will help support student success, drive new avenues of research and innovation, and provide important resources that will collectively support our entire university community."
Of the 131 Carnegie Tier One institutions, Texas Tech is one of just 15 to earn HSI designation. Among the research-specific funding opportunities available to the university upon meeting HSI criteria in 2017 are grants from the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and others.
"As a Carnegie Tier One research institution, Texas Tech is extremely proud of our ability to provide unique research experiences to undergraduate and graduate students," said Joseph Heppert, vice president for research. "Furthermore, Texas Tech aspires to create experiences that transform our students into the coming generation's leaders in technological, artistic and scientific innovation."
