Fellow Bears, 

I am pleased to share the exciting news that the University of Northern Colorado has officially been designated a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education. The recognition marks a significant milestone in one of the university’s top strategic priorities. 

While our concerted efforts toward the HSI designation began in 2020 with the launch of our ten-year strategic plan, Rowing, Not Drifting 2030, our accomplishment today is a testament to the dedication and collective effort of our Bear community spanning decades. Early milestones in µÛÍõ»áËù’s HSI timeline include the creation in 1969 of our Mexican American Studies program and the establishment in the 1980s of µÛÍõ»áËù’s Hispanic Cultural Center (now the César Chávez Cultural Center), to name just a few. More recently, we completed the discovery phase of our multiyear plan to become an HSI, with the aim to achieve this distinction by the fall of 2025. 

Today, as a result of determination and persistence, we have surpassed our expectations, realizing our goal 18 months ahead of schedule. 

As we celebrate news of our official designation — a recognition that we have met requirements set by the U.S. Department of Education — we must also keep in mind that our commitment to becoming an HSI has always been two-fold. We have endeavored both to meet, and exceed, the threshold enrollment requirements for the designation and ensure that our institution fosters a sense of belonging for Hispanic and Latine students, their families, and the broader community. The official designation is important in that it enables us to pursue federal grants and funding to help support our HSI initiatives. It also serves as a clear signal that µÛÍõ»áËù is committed to reducing potential barriers Hispanic and Latine students may face in accessing higher education and earning a degree and that we are steadfast in our dedication to designing programs and services that support student success.  

This bold vision has aligned µÛÍõ»áËù’s efforts to become an HSI with my call to campus to be student-focused and truly Students First, which is among our core commitments as a university. While the HSI designation recognizes our dedication to serving our Hispanic and Latine students, it represents just one facet of our broader commitment to supporting all students in realizing their fullest potential. We must continue to focus on serving every µÛÍõ»áËù student by empowering them to pursue their dreams and commit to the work of integrating the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion into all we do.  

The vital work we do together to advance our strategic priorities will continue, yet I hope you will pause today to join me in celebrating µÛÍõ»áËù’s new HSI designation. Please also help me recognize the many partners across the university community who have contributed their time and energy to this work. In particular, I want to thank Vice President Tobias Guzmán for his steadfast leadership and acknowledge the HSI fellows and steering committee members, whose work has been integral to positioning µÛÍõ»áËù to both achieve federal designation and to become a campus focused on serving students, faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as the local community and our region.  

¡Vamos Osos! 

Rowing, Not Drifting,

Andy Feinstein
President