Cuesta College is now an official Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). The primary criterion for HSI designation for colleges, universities, or systems/districts is a total Hispanic enrollment of at least 25 percent of the total enrollment; Cuesta College is currently at 33 percent.
HSI designation is provided through the U.S. Department of Education and allows the college to apply for grants that can help Hispanic and low income students accomplish their educational goals.
“The Hispanic-Serving Institution designation will allow Cuesta College to continue paving the road to success for hundreds of current and future Latino and Latina students,” said Cuesta College Superintendent/President Dr. Gil Stork. “We hope this designation enhances the work Cuesta College is already doing to support our Hispanic students, including that of our Latino Leadership Network (LLN), Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (MEChA) student club, the increase of English as a Second Language (ESL) courses at our South County Center in Arroyo Grande, and the continuation of Edúcate – Sí Se Puede, an on-campus conference attended by hundreds of local high school Latino and Latina students each year seeking information about higher education.”
