HSI panel hosted by Elmhurst University’s LSA starts off Hispanic Heritage Month

From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the United States celebrates and recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month. 

This month acknowledges the contributions that Hispanic Americans have made, and celebrates their achievements. 

Elmhurst University, now being a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), offers more resources for students across campus. On Sept. 15 the school’s Latino Student Association (LSA), alongside the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, held an information session to discuss these new resources for students.

The discussion began with a general overview of what being a HSI means and how it can benefit students. This new title can help increase high impact programs, such as summer research, study abroad, and paid internships.

It will also provide greater training and development for faculty to serve a more diverse student population, as well as additional scholarship opportunities. 

Vincent Cascio, the Associate Director for Student Equity and Inclusion, explained how becoming a HSI would help bring more opportunities to Hispanic students and to provide support.

“We really want to increase our level of student success [and] degree completion but also to provide that sense of belonging here on campus,” said Cascio. “Now having this identity as an HSI really gives us some more room and level of accountability to get those actions done.” 

LSA hopes that the grant proposal, which helps provide the high impact programs, goes through to allow Hispanic students to get the necessary resources they need.

“I hope that the school now realizes that our presence is large on campus and that we get all the funding and resources we need to succeed,” said Nayrin Banuelos-Bogarin, LSA President, and staff writer for The Leader.

She continued, “At least they are acknowledging that we are a community that’s underserved and has been, so now that we have funding, hopefully, we can have the resources we need.” 

Diversity Organizer and Student Involvement Coordinator, Dulce Reyes, is hoping that becoming a HSI will help EU to realize they need to do more for the campus to be inclusive. 

“Personally I do not feel like the university is doing enough. Whenever we talk to the leaders in school, I get the sense that they are constantly putting it on us, the students, to make a change,” said Reyes. 

“What I am hoping will happen from us becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution is that the school will realize we need to do something and take action to make sure this community is included.” 

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