Transforming Hispanic-Serving Institutions for Equity and Justice

by Gina Ann Garcia

The framework to help Hispanic-Serving Institutions transform into spaces of liberation that promote racial equity and social justice. Beyond having over a quarter of their undergraduate students be Hispanic, what makes Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) uniquely Latinx? And how can university leaders, faculty, and staff transform these institutions into spaces that promote racial equity, social justice, and collective liberation? In Transforming Hispanic-Serving Institutions for Equity and Justice, Gina Ann Garcia argues that in order to serve Latinx students and other students of color, these institutions must acknowledge how whiteness operates across the organization, from the ways that it is governed and how decisions are made to how education and knowledge are delivered. Diversity alone is insufficient for achieving a dynamic learning environment within higher education institutions. Garcia's framework for transforming HSIs into truly Latinx institutions is grounded in critical theories, yet it advances new ways of thinking about how to organize colleges and universities that are actively serving students of color, low-income students, and students from other minoritized backgrounds. This framework connects multiple important dimensions, including mission, identity, strategic purpose, membership, curriculum, student services, physical infrastructure, governance, leadership, external partnerships, and external influences. Drawing on over 25 years of HSI research, Garcia offers unique solutions for colleges and universities that want to better serve their students. With over 550 colleges and universities already eligible for the HSI designation, this book is a must-read for everyone in higher education.

Genres: Education

216 pages, Paperback

Published February 14, 2023

Reviews

[Shelby Burroughs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Highly technical writing but great direction and vision for equity on college campuses.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who works in higher education should read this book. Dr. Garcia gives us a look into her freedom dream for how Hispanic-Serving Institutions can better serve minoritized students. Her focus is clear and provides a blueprint for how higher education admins like myself can feel empowered to transform the experiences of my students. To quote Dr. Garcia "This book is not only a call to action; it's a toolbox for acting. To read it and do nothing would be egregious."

[Renee Skrabacz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of great information/data/research on HSIs and ways to focus in on the servingness component at my institution of learning.