Gabriel O. Bermea, The Rutgers Center for Minority Serving Institutions
The landscape of higher education in the United States has been transformed by the growing presence of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). These institutions, which are defined by the Department of Education as colleges and universities where at least 25% of the undergraduate full-time equivalent (FTE) student population is Hispanic (Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, 2024), play a critical role in advancing educational opportunities for Latino students. However, HSIs are not just about enrolling Latino students—they are about serving them. This commitment to "servingness," an emerging concept in higher education, underscores the intentional strategies and practices that HSIs adopt to support the academic and personal growth of Latino students (Garcia, 2019a). Academic advising stands out as a crucial strategy through which HSIs foster familial connections, promote student learning and growth, and enhance students' sense of belonging (Bermea, 2024). Here, this article explores the role of advising at HSIs, emphasizing the importance of servingness and intentionality in shaping the educational experiences of Latino students, and the advising strategies rooted in servingness and intentionality.
The Role and Impact of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs)
As of 2023, there were 600 HSIs across the United States, enrolling nearly two-thirds of all Latino undergraduates in higher education (Santiago et al., 2024). The proliferation of HSIs is a response to the demographic shifts in the nation, with the Latino population being one of the fastest-growing groups. HSIs are located in areas with significant Latino populations and can be found in 28 states and the District of Columbia (Santiago et al., 2024). The importance of HSIs in the educational landscape cannot be overstated; they are gateways to higher education for many first-generation and low-income Latino students, providing them with access to resources, support, and opportunities that may otherwise be out of reach. However, the call for HSIs goes beyond merely enrolling Latino students. The true essence of an HSI lies in its commitment to serving these students in a way that acknowledges their unique cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds (Garcia, 2019a). Servingness implies a deliberate and holistic approach to education that seeks to empower Latino students to thrive academically, socially, and personally.
The Importance of Servingness and Intentionality
Servingness, as an institutional framework, emphasizes that HSIs must adopt intentional practices that are culturally responsive and equity-driven to effectively support Latino students (Garcia, 2019b). This requires institutions to move beyond traditional metrics of success, such as graduation rates, and consider how well they are addressing the specific needs of their Latino student populations. For HSIs, servingness is about creating an environment where Latino students feel valued, understood, and supported in all aspects of their college experience.
Intentionality plays a crucial role in realizing servingness. HSIs must be deliberate in designing programs, policies, and practices that reflect the lived experiences of Latino students (Excelencia in Education, 2021). This involves recognizing the cultural wealth that Latino students bring to the campus and leveraging it to enhance their educational experiences. Intentionality in servingness also means providing students with the tools and resources they need to navigate the complexities of higher education while honoring their cultural identities.
Advising as a Strategy to Intentionally Serve Latino Students
One of the most effective strategies that HSIs employ to embody servingness is academic advising (Bermea, 2024). Advising at HSIs is not just about helping students select courses or meet degree requirements; it is a comprehensive and relational process that supports students' academic, personal, and professional development. At its core, advising at HSIs is grounded in a commitment to building strong, supportive relationships with students, which are essential to their success.
Fostering Familial Connections
For many Latino students, the concept of family, or familia, is central to their identity and sense of belonging. HSIs recognize the importance of this cultural value and strive to incorporate it into their advising practices (Bermea, 2024). Advisors at HSIs often serve as familia—a source of support, guidance, and encouragement—especially for first-generation Latino students who may not have family members who are familiar with the college experience. This familial approach to advising helps bridge the gap between students' home lives and their academic lives, making the transition to college less daunting.
Advisors who understand the cultural significance of familia are better equipped to connect with Latino students on a personal level, building trust and rapport that can lead to greater student engagement and persistence. By fostering these familial connections, advisors create a sense of community that can make a significant difference in a student's ability to succeed. Moreover, this approach reinforces the idea that Latino students are not alone in their academic journey; they have a support system that cares about their well-being and success.
Promoting Student Learning and Growth
Advising at HSIs is also a powerful tool for promoting student learning and growth (Bermea, 2024). Advisors play a critical role in helping students identify their academic and career goals, develop plans to achieve them, and acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for success. This process is particularly important for Latino students, many of whom may face additional challenges related to language barriers, financial constraints, or lack of familiarity with the higher education system (Castellanos et al., 2023).
HSIs adopt both proactive and developmental approaches to advising, which focuses on the holistic intervention and development of the student (Bermea, 2024; Garcia, 2019a). Advisors encourage students to reflect on their experiences, set goals, and take ownership of their education. This approach not only supports students' academic growth but also fosters personal and professional development. Through advising, students learn to navigate challenges, build resilience, and develop a growth mindset—skills that are essential for success in college and beyond.
Advising at HSIs is often tailored to the specific needs of Latino students (Bermea, 2024). For example, advisors may provide guidance on transitioning to college, understanding the transfer process, or navigating the challenges of balancing work, family, and school. This targeted support is critical in helping Latino students overcome barriers to success and achieve their full potential.
Fostering a Sense of Belonging
A sense of belonging is a key factor in student retention and success. HSIs are uniquely positioned to create environments where Latino students feel that they belong, and advising is a crucial component of this effort (Bermea, 2024).
Advisors at HSIs work to create an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere where Latino students feel seen, heard, and valued. This involves acknowledging and celebrating students' cultural identities, providing opportunities for them to connect with peers who share similar backgrounds, and offering support that is culturally responsive and affirming. Advisors often connect students with campus resources, such as Latino student organizations, cultural centers, or mentoring programs, that can help them build a sense of community and belonging.
In addition to fostering connections within the campus community, advisors also help students navigate the challenges of being part of multiple worlds—balancing their cultural identity with the demands of college life. By providing a safe space for students to explore these challenges and offering support and guidance, advisors help students develop a strong sense of self and a feeling of belonging both on campus and in their broader communities.
The Future of Advising at HSIs
As HSIs continue to grow and evolve, the role of advising will remain central to their mission of serving Latino students. However, to fully realize the potential of servingness, HSIs must continue to innovate and expand their advising strategies and practice to meet the changing needs of their Latino students.
One area of future growth is the integration of technology in advising. While face-to-face interactions will always be important, technology can enhance advising by providing students with greater access to information, resources, and support. For example, online advising platforms can offer students 24/7 access to advising services, while data analytics can help advisors identify students who may be at risk and provide targeted interventions.
Another area of focus is professional development for advisors. As the Latino student population continues to grow, it is essential that advisors are equipped with the knowledge and competencies to effectively serve this diverse group. This includes ongoing training in antiracism competency (Bermea et al., 2023), equity-minded practices, and the specific challenges and opportunities that Latino students face. By investing in the professional development of advisors, HSIs can ensure that they are providing the highest level of support to their students.
Finally, HSIs must continue to advocate for policies and practices that support Latino students at the institutional, state, and national levels. This includes advocating for increased funding for HSIs, supporting policies that promote equity and access, and working to dismantle systemic barriers that hinder the success of Latino students (Excelencia in Education, 2024). By taking a proactive approach to servingness, HSIs can continue to be leaders in advancing educational opportunities for Latino students and ensuring their success in higher education and beyond.
Conclusion
HSIs play a vital role in the higher education landscape, particularly in their commitment to serving Latino students. Through the lens of servingness and intentionality, HSIs have developed advising strategies that go beyond the traditional role of course selection and degree planning. Instead, advising at HSIs is a comprehensive strategy that fosters familial connections, promotes student learning and growth, and enhances students' sense of belonging. As the Latino student population continues to grow, the importance of these efforts will only increase. HSIs must continue to innovate and expand their advising efforts, ensuring that they remain at the forefront of supporting the success of Latino students in higher education. By doing so, they not only fulfill their mission as HSIs but also contribute to the broader goal of equity and inclusion in higher education.
References
Bermea, G. O. (2024, August). Construir el Camino: How Hispanic-Serving Institutions Design and Deliver Academic Advising. New Brunswick, NJ: Center for Minority Serving Institutions. https://cmsi.gse.rutgers.edu/sites/default/files/Gabe%20Report4_Final.pdf
Bermea, G. O., Passov, N, Coyne, M., & Gasman, M. (July 2023). Advising with intention: Exploring academic advising at minority serving institutions. Center for Minority Serving Institutions. https://cmsi.gse.rutgers.edu/sites/default/files/MSI%20Academic%20Advising%20Report.pdf
Castellanos, J. & Jones, L. (Eds.). (2023). The majority in the minority: Expanding the representation of Latina. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
Excelencia in Education. (2021). Seal of Excelencia framework. https://www.edexcelencia.org/Framework-Seal-Excelencia-2021
Excelencia in Education. (2024). Excelencia’s policy agenda. https://www.edexcelencia.org/media/2563
Garcia G. A. (2019a). Becoming hispanic-serving institutions: Opportunities for colleges and universities. Johns Hopkins University Press.
Garcia G. A. (2019b). Defining “servingness” at hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs): practical implications for HSI leaders. Retrieved from the American Council on Education: Retrieved from https://ace.e-wd.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Garcia-Essay-FINAL.pdf
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (2024, June 6). Hispanic-serving institution definitions. https://www.hacu.net/hacu/HSI_Definition1.asp
Santiago, D., Arroyo, C., & Cuellarsola, L. (2024, April). Latinos in higher education: 2024 compilation of fast facts. Excelencia in Education.
