Hispanic Heritage Month: How 6 HSIs Are Transforming Higher Education for Hispanic Students

At Ad Astra, we are proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by recognizing the significant contributions of Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) across the country. HSIs play a critical role in supporting the educational journeys of more than 60% of Hispanic college students.  

These institutions, which must have at least 25% Hispanic student enrollment, are dedicated to fostering environments that promote student success, retention, and degree completion. According to the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), HSIs have seen a 230% increase in the enrollment of Hispanic students over the past two decades, yet Hispanic students still face graduation rates significantly lower than their peers, often due to systemic barriers. 

Today, Ad Astra honors its 50+ HSI clients and highlights a few of the innovative programs they’ve developed to help Hispanic students overcome these challenges, stay on track, and earn their degrees.

Alamo Community Colleges District | Texas
Enhancing Access and Affordability Through Pathways

The Alamo Colleges District in San Antonio, including Northwest Vista College and Northeast Lakeview College, has adopted a Guided Pathways approach to improve access and success for Hispanic students. This model provides clear, structured academic plans that help students, especially first-generation ones, navigate course selection and degree requirements more effectively. By offering a roadmap from enrollment to completion, Alamo Colleges ensures more Hispanic students stay on track and achieve their academic goals.

To optimize course schedules for busy students, the district is using Ad Astra’s Student Demand Forecasting solution. This approach ensures critical courses are available at times that work for students, reducing the risk of students falling behind due to limited course availability. By taking a data-driven approach to scheduling, Alamo Colleges District is removing barriers to success and increasing completion rates among its Hispanic student population. 

California State University, Dominguez Hills | California
Making STEM Career Connections

Amidst a range of programs to support Latinx learners, CSU Dominguez Hills provides extra support for its Hispanic male population. Its Male Success Alliance (MSA) program is dedicated to improving the access, retention, and graduation rates of young men of color. Through academic support, personal and professional development, and mentoring, MSA fosters a culture of brotherhood and perseverance. The program encourages academic excellence, career exploration, and identity development, helping students thrive academically and personally. 

Using Ad Astra’s analytics, CSUDH is exploring how sub-populations such as Hispanic students are affected by barriers in the course schedule. The results of this analysis have helped CSUDH create more student-centered schedules while achieving greater financial sustainability for ongoing student support. 

Bergen Community College | New Jersey
Building Skills for Tomorrow's Workforce

On the East Coast, Bergen Community College in New Jersey recently received a $5.99 million grant from the Department of Education through the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (DHSI) program. The college’s success hinged on deepening its ties with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, providing students with access to internship programs, including placements in federal agencies. The college also launched the LatinxCEO initiative, offering skill-building workshops and certifications to address workplace underrepresentation. Bergen further celebrates Hispanic culture year-round through events and programming, fostering a sense of belonging and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

In addition, Bergen Community College partners with Ad Astra to implement a holistic course scheduling approach that ensures students can enroll in the courses they need to stay on track for graduation. By reducing scheduling conflicts and improving course availability, Bergen is helping its Hispanic students complete their degrees more efficiently. 

Dominican University | Illinois
Promoting Equity and Inclusion

In Illinois, Dominican University has earned recognition as a top HSI by focusing on equity, inclusion, and social justice. The Center for Cultural Liberation offers programs and events that celebrate cultural identity, promote social justice, and empower students to embrace their heritage, while the college’s El Centro program provides academic resources, mentorship, and community engagement opportunities tailored to the unique needs of Hispanic students. Together, these spaces serve as vital hubs for personal growth, leadership development, and academic success, helping Hispanic students thrive both academically and socially. 

In partnership with Ad Astra, Dominican University has focused on ensuring that their course scheduling process is as inclusive as possible. By analyzing student enrollment patterns, the university has been able to optimize its course offerings to better serve its diverse student body. This data-driven approach ensures that students, particularly those from underserved communities, have access to the courses they need to graduate on time. 

San Joaquin Delta College | California
Bridging Hispanic Students to Success

San Joaquin Delta College, an HSI in California’s Central Valley, features the Dreamer Success Center, a dedicated space to provide essential support and resources to undocumented students. The center offers a variety of services, including academic counseling, financial aid guidance, and legal assistance, to help students navigate the unique challenges they face in higher education. With a focus on creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, the Dreamer Success Center ensures students feel empowered to pursue their academic goals without fear or uncertainty. 

In partnership with Ad Astra, Delta has also implemented Student-Centered Course Scheduling to ensure students have access to essential courses when they need them, reducing delays and keeping students on track for graduation.  

Texas A&M University - San Antonio | Texas
Making College a Family Affair

The Family First program at Texas A&M San Antonio (TAMU-SA) is designed to support Latino students by fostering strong connections between their academic pursuits and family values. The program provides resources such as mentorship, academic advising, and workshops focused on navigating higher education.

By engaging both students and their families, Family First helps create a supportive network that encourages student success and retention. The program emphasizes the importance of family in the educational journey, offering a culturally responsive approach to help Latino students thrive academically and personally. 

In addition, TAMU-SA has a strong commitment to ensuring Hispanic students have full, productive schedules that align with program pathways during their first year of college. Using Ad Astra’s Momentum Year Analytics, TAMU-SA helps accelerate students’ time-to-completion and boost retention through data-fueled interventions.  

Ad Astra applauds these institutions along for their ongoing work in improving outcomes for Hispanic students. For more information on how Ad Astra helps its 550 partners, including 50 HSIs, improve student outcomes through smart course scheduling, click here.