Every year in September, the US celebrates Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week to honor and uplift colleges and universities that excel in their support of Hispanic students. Higher education institutions are eligible for to apply for HSI status when 25% of their undergraduate student body identifies as Hispanic or Latino, but many colleges go above and beyond this minimum classification to ensure the success of these students through programming and student life opportunities. Start exploring amazing HSIs this week with these schools in the northeastern and southeastern US. You can request more information from any HSI below by clicking the green “Connect me” buttons.
Please note: Many of these colleges have official partnerships with the Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities, but not all of them. Any college without a partnership was confirmed to meet the standards of an HSI through the organization Excelencia in Education.
Bloomfield College
Bloomfield College is a private Presbyterian liberal arts college in Bloomfield, New Jersey—just 16 miles from New York City. Designated the 14th-most diverse liberal arts college in the nation, Bloomfield offers 2,000+ students more than 40 innovative academic programs as well as the lowest full-time tuition among private colleges in the state. When they’re not utilizing cutting-edge technology through the Center for Technology + Creativity, students can participate in more than 40 organizations and 12 Division II athletic teams.
Bloomfield fast facts
- Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment: 33%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: CARISBO, Haitian Student Association, Chi Upsilon Sigma Sorority, Lamda Sigma Upsilon Fraternity
- Resources for Hispanic student success: National Hispanic College Fair; Mundo Latino; Latino Male Empowerment Workshop; Hispanic Heritage Month events, including opening and closing ceremonies
Caldwell University
Caldwell University is a private Catholic liberal arts college in Caldwell, New York—20 miles from New York City. Designated as a College of Distinction, Caldwell offers its student body of 2,300 undergrad and graduate students more than 60 academic programs, 23 student clubs, a student-faculty ratio of 13:1, and more. Students come from over 40 countries to study at the University and benefit from scholarships that range up to full tuition as well as affiliated programs with other universities for a wider range of challenging academic offerings.
Caldwell fast facts
- Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment: 27%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: Latin American Student Organization
- Resources for Hispanic student success: Network for Excellence in Undergraduate Success (NEXUS), Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF)
Kean University
Kean University is a public university in Union, New Jersey—just 12 miles from New York City. Named the most affordable comprehensive school in New Jersey and one of the top five most diverse campuses in the US, Kean offers 50+ undergraduate majors and 70+ graduate degree options to over 16,000 students. Students enjoy a vibrant mix of academic, social, and cultural activities, with opportunities to get involved both on and off campus and access to résumé-building internships.
Kean fast facts
- Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment: 25%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: Adelante Latinx Business & Leadership Organization, Haitian Student Association, Lamda Theta Alpha Sorority, Lamda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority, Lamda Upsilon Lamda Fraternity, Latin American Student Organization
- Resources for Hispanic student success: Office of Diversity, Supera Spanish Speaking Program, Project Adelante pre-college program, Computing Alliance of Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations
Manhattan College
Manhattan College is a private comprehensive Lasallian Catholic institution located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, New York. Over 3,000 undergraduates pursue over 100 programs of study in the Schools of Liberal Arts, Business, Education & Health, Engineering, and Science. With a 12:1 student-faculty ratio and small class sizes, students benefit from a tailored learning environment, including an extensive internship and mentorship program.
Manhattan fast facts
- Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment: 25%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: Fuerza Latina, International Student Association, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Sigma Delta Pi National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society
- Resources for Hispanic student success: Hispanic Scholarship Fund, Multicultural Center, Hispanic Heritage Month events
Manhattanville University
Manhattanville University is a private liberal arts university in Purchase, New York—approximately 25 miles from New York City. With an enrollment of more than 2,500 students, Manhattanville offers 50+ undergraduate areas of study and 70+ graduate programs, degrees, and certificates reinforced by internships, career counseling, mentors, and networking opportunities. The University has a long history of rewarding students of high academic achievement regardless of financial need, and each applicant is automatically evaluated for merit awards.
Manhattanville fast facts
- Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment: 28%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: Latin American Student Association, The Community Initiative, Latin Fusion Dance Team
- Resources for Hispanic student success: Center for Global and International Studies, Diversity Career Resources, Changing Suburbs Institute
Connect me with Manhattanville!
Marymount University
Marymount University is a comprehensive Catholic university in Arlington, Virginia—just six miles from Washington, DC. With a student body of 3,900, Marymount offers students 55 undergraduate degrees, 55 minors, and more than 50 graduate and certificate programs. Designated the most ethnically diverse school in the South, the University provides resources for a student-focused experience through the Centers for Career Development; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Global Engagement; and Service as well as a strong honors program.
Marymount fast facts
- Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment: 32%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: International Affairs Society, International Club, Latino Student Association
- Resources for Hispanic student success: Leaders-in-Residence Program, participation in the HACU Annual Conference and ¡Adelante! Leadership Institute
Mercy University
Mercy University is a non-sectarian comprehensive university in Dobbs Ferry, New York—with a branch campus in the Bronx, Manhattan. The University’s five schools offer more than 90 degree and certificate programs—including 40 fully online—to 10,000+ total students. At Mercy, students are taught by Fulbright scholars and leading experts in their fields, mentored on a personal level every step of their college journey, and engaged in every aspect of their lives from career development to clubs and sports.
Mercy fast facts
- Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment: 38%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: Association of Latin American Students, Association of Latino Professionals for America, DiverCity Dance Team, Minority Association for Pre-Medical Students
- Resources for Hispanic student success: Advancing Curricular Change to Enhance Student Success (ACCESS) Program, the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program, TRiO Student Support Services Program, Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations
Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology
Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology is a specialized private institution offering associate, bachelor’s, and graduate programs in Flushing, New York. With 1,625 students and a 14:1 student-faculty ratio, Vaughn offers eight distinct and specialized degrees for aspiring STEM undergraduates. Students benefit from hybrid learning opportunities, small class sizes, ongoing career support services, and resources like an air traffic control lab, engineering labs, flight simulatos, and more.
Vaughn fast facts
- Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment: 32%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: Society of Hispanic Engineers
- Resources for Hispanic student success: Partnerships with Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) and Collegiate Science and Technology Program (CSTEP)
William Paterson University of New Jersey
William Paterson University of New Jersey is a public multipurpose university in Wayne, New Jersey—only 20 miles west of New York City. The University offers nearly 150 bachelor’s, master’s, and certificate programs through four academic schools to nearly 10,000 students. Undergraduates have many opportunities for experiential learning, with a science complex and numerous labs, TV and radio broadcast studios, animation and graphic design labs, and more on campus.
William Paterson fast facts
- Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment: 31%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: Brothers for Awareness, Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority, International Students Club, Lambda Theta Alpha, Lambda Upsilon Lambda, Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students, Organization of Latin American Students
- Resources for Hispanic student success: The Black and Latino Male Initiative, Access to STEM Pathways through Integrated Research and Engagement (ASPIRE) Program, Academic Success Center, Latin American and Latinx Studies program, Educational Opportunity Fund Program, Latinidad Heritage Celebration, the Center for Latinidad, the Center for Diversity & Inclusion
Connect me with William Paterson!
Want to learn more about HSIs in general and what they stand for? Check out our article Hispanic–Serving Institutions 101: What Students Should Know, and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by reading more content with our special tag.
