Hispanic-Serving Institution

Our initiatives support historically marginalized students.

Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) initiatives empower Cal Lutheran students by encouraging practices that are fundamental to global leadership and integral to our university mission.

An HSI is an institution of higher education that has an enrollment of undergraduate full-time equivalent students that is at least 25 percent Latine. To become an HSI, an institution has to apply for designation via the U.S. Department of Education.

Cal Lutheran reached 25 percent Latine in 2013 and obtained HSI Status in 2016. In 2024, over 41 percent of our student population identified as Latine, an inclusive term used to describe people of all genders that are of Latina/o descent.

HSI designation provides many benefits, including the opportunity to apply for federal funding — Cal Lutheran received over $11 million in federal HSI Title III and Title V grants between 2016 and 2018 to support these initiatives.

Historical Background

There is no recipe to becoming an HSI, however, most HSIs develop because of demographic changes in the areas surrounding the institution. This is unlike tribal colleges and universities and historically Black colleges and universities, which were founded to serve their respective populations. An increase in the Latine population in both Los Angeles County (49%) and Ventura County (42%), along with intentional efforts to increase the diversity of the student body, prompted Cal Lutheran’s move to become an HSI.

University Mission and Lutheran Identity

Cal Lutheran's designation as an HSI demonstrates the university's commitment to living out its mission to develop leaders for a global society. In becoming an HSI, we honor this promise to students (and their families).

At Cal Lutheran, being an HSI means taking an internal look at processes and systems in higher education that have disproportionately affected historically marginalized groups, including those who identify as Latine, Black/African American, Pacific Islander, American Indian, Alaska Native or any combination of these identities. This means, looking at all areas of the university to be more inclusive.

As an HSI, Cal Lutheran provides students a more holistic view of the world, enabling them to navigate ever-changing and diverse societies. As a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Cal Lutheran embraces the teachings of inclusivity championed by the church.

Benefits to Students

HSI designation has given Cal Lutheran, via Title III and Title V funds, the opportunity to better serve Latine transfer students, Latine students pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and Latine students interested in becoming teachers.

Tutoring and supplemental instruction in the STEM disciplines have been implemented and all STEM students have access to advisers and faculty members to guide their careers.

Both Title III and Title V funds have positively impacted curriculum in all areas of study. Faculty, through HSI funding, may apply to receive professional development to incorporate high impact teaching practices, such as active learning and culturally responsive pedagogy.