The Oregon Hispanic-Serving Institution Consortium (OR HSI Consortium) is a collaborative network of representatives from Oregon colleges and universities. The Consortium is focused on strengthening campus capacity to intentionally serve and respond to the dynamic, growing Latine/Hispanic student body in Oregon. Here you can learn about the Consortium’s focus and find resources to engage in this work.
Oregon has a fast-growing Latine/Hispanic population, and representatives from Oregon’s postsecondary institutions are working together to better serve Latine/Hispanic students. The OR HSI Consortium is a hub for resources and best practices where higher education professionals can learn from one another, share evidence-based strategies, and collectively influence institutional practices and initiatives to support student success. The OR HSI Consortium welcomes the participation of institutions at various stages of serving Latine/Hispanic students—from established Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) to emerging and aspiring HSIs.
The Consortium is a network of educators that emerged from an informal group of institution partners who have been working on HSI-related goals since 2023. It is facilitated by staff of the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC).
Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) are degree-granting non-profit or public colleges and universities that serve a certain percentage of Hispanic students among their enrolled undergraduates.
Hispanic-Serving-Institutions (HSIs) are defined through federal legislation in the Higher Education Act (HEA). There are hundreds of HSIs across the U.S.
You can learn more about HSI eligibility through the federal HEA, or on the website of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. You can learn about the role of the U.S. Department of Education on the website of the Office of Postsecondary Education including Grants for Special Populations.
Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) are generally defined as accredited, degree-granting nonprofit or public colleges or universities where at least 25 percent of the full-time equivalent (FTE) undergraduate enrollment is Hispanic.
Emerging HSIs (EHSIs) are generally defined as accredited, degree-granting nonprofit or public colleges or universities where between 15 percent and 24.99 percent of the FTE undergraduate enrollment is Hispanic.
In addition to HSIs and EHSIs, the OR HSI Consortium recognizes Aspiring Hispanic Serving Institutions (AHSIs). These are institutions where less than 15 percent of the undergraduate enrollment is Latine/Hispanic.
Oregon currently has six institutions that meet the enrollment criteria to be defined as Hispanic-Serving Institutions, 19 that meet the eligibility definition of Emerging HSIs, and 11 that meet the eligibility definition of Aspiring HSIs.
OR HSI Consortium Membership
Oregon two-year community colleges and four-year public or private universities are eligible and welcome to be OR HSI Consortium members. Each member institution can designate up to two representatives to participate in Consortium business. In addition, college and university employees will have opportunities to engage in events organized by the Consortium. Learn more about our vision, framework, and membershp process below.
The OR HSI Consortium has designated representatives from participating institutions. The OR HSI Consortium’s designated representatives meet regularly to provide input, insights, and expertise related to the OR HSI Consortium's vision and objectives.
Learn more about the OR HSI Consortium’s
vision, framework and objectives, as well as the process for institutions to become members and designate representatives.
Each institution can designate up to two representatives: one voting representative and one designated alternate, to conduct Consortium business. In addition, student representatives serve on the Consortium, and the work is facilitated by a HECC representative. The Executive Committee of the Consortium is composed of the Consortium Chair and Chair-Elect, a HECC designee, a secretary, and two student representatives.
If you have questions on participation in the Consortium, contact Osvaldo Avila at
Osvaldo.Avila@hecc.oregon.gov.
OR HSI Consortium – Six “Pillars of Excellence” Inform Our Actions
The OR HSI Consortium is committed to cultivating best practices by addressing the diverse needs of Latine/Hispanic students. To do this, the OR HSI Consortium applies six Pillars of Excellence to inform our actions and initiatives. We aim to foster a deeper understanding and shared values to transform the culture of institutions to center on service to students to support their success. Click on the Pillars of Excellence below to learn more about the Consortium’s focus areas.
Institutional Cultural Climate
- Focus: Building a servingness culture, HSI strategic planning, racially conscious policies, and data-driven practices.
- Metrics: Measure progress through institutional climate surveys, disaggregated data, and the implementation of HSI strategies.
Professional Training & Organizational Development
- Focus: Cultural awareness, humility, racial and social justice training, and faculty/staff recruitment.
- Metrics: Track participation, cultural competency surveys, and long-term impacts on engagement with Latine students.
Student Success, Engagement, & Preparedness
- Focus: Fostering a sense of belonging, mentorship, business/workforce partnerships, and alumni networks.
- Metrics: Evaluate retention, graduation rates, student satisfaction, and mentorship engagement.
Pedagogy, Curriculum, Course & Program Design
- Focus: Ethnic studies, STEM, academic pathways, research, and student support programs.
- Metrics: Track student enrollment, program participation, and academic success in targeted courses.
Strategic Pathways & Partnerships
- Focus: K-12 demographics, enrollment, persistence, transfer, and graduation.
- Metrics: Monitor K-12 partnerships, enrollment rates, and program completion.
HSI Designation, Title V, & Financial Resources
- Focus: Program eligibility, grant applications, and securing funding resources.
- Metrics: Track funding applications and financial resources allocated to Latine student support.
HSI Resources and Partners
The OR HSI Consortium supports networking and partnering in our effort to serve students.
To support networking and partnering in our effort to serve students, we have created a list of some Hispanic-serving nonprofit, government, or educational organizations and resources below. This is not a comprehensive list, and partners with suggestions for additions are welcome to contact us.
The support of this work at the HECC is led by the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility team in the Office of the Executive Director. If you have questions, you may contact Osvaldo Avila at Osvaldo.Avila@hecc.oregon.gov.