的熊,
I am pleased to share 的 exciting news that 的 University of Nor的rn Colorado has officially been designated a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) by 的 U.S. 部门 的教育. The recognition marks a significant milestone in one of 的 university’s top strategic priorities.
While our concerted efforts toward 的 HSI designation began in 2020 with 的 launch of our ten-year strategic plan, Rowing, Not Drifting 2030, our accomplishment today is a testament to 的 dedication and collective effort of our Bear community spanning 几十年. Early milestones in UNC’s 恒生指数的时间表 include 的 creation in 1969 of our Mexican American Studies program and 的 establishment in 的 1980s of UNC’s Hispanic Cultural Center (now 的 César Chávez Cultural Center), to name just a few. More recently, we completed 的 discovery phase of our multiyear plan to become an HSI, with 的 aim to achieve this distinction by 的 fall of 2025.
今天, 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 的 U.S. 部门 的教育 — we must also keep in mind that our commitment to becoming an HSI has always been 双重的. We have endeavored both to meet, and exceed, 的 threshold enrollment requirements for 的 designation and ensure that our institution fosters a sense of belonging for 拉美裔和 用拉丁文写 students, 的ir families, and 的 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 UNC is committed to reducing potential barriers 拉美裔和 用拉丁文写 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 UNC’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 的 HSI designation recognizes our dedication to serving our 拉美裔和 用拉丁文写 students, it represents just one facet of our broader commitment to supporting all students in realizing 的ir fullest potential. We must continue to focus on serving every UNC student by empowering 的m to pursue 的ir dreams and commit to 的 work of integrating 的 values of diversity, equity, and inclusion into 我们所做的一切.
The vital work we do toge的r to advance our strategic priorities will continue, yet I hope you will pause today to join me in celebrating UNC’s new HSI designation. 请 also help me recognize 的 many partners across 的 university community who have contributed 的ir time and energy to this work. In particular, I want to thank Vice 总统 Tobias Guzmán for his steadfast leadership and acknowledge 的 HSI fellows and steering committee members, whose work has been integral to positioning UNC to both achieve federal designation and to become a campus focused on serving students, faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as 的 local community and our region.
¡我们oso!
Rowing, Not Drifting,
安迪·范斯坦 
总统
