Race, Racism, and

Access in Higher
Education

Latinx Students & HSIs

Learning Outcomes
● Understand the five eras of Latinos in American higher education.
● Understand the Chicano and Boricuan movements.
● Understand the problem with a lack of curriculum regarding Latino culture and
history in the United States education system that was highlighted during el
movimiento.
Class Agenda
● Presentation on the history of latinos in higher education.
● Video
● Activity
● Class Discussion
Southwestern Class Exceptionalism, 1848-1920’s
● Treaty of Guadalupe 1848
● Opportunities for higher education
Imperial Conquests: The Case of Puerto Rico, 1848-1920

● University of Puerto Rico, 1903

● Americanization
● Migration in the 1940’s and 1950’s
Slipping in the College Gates, 1920’s-1950’s
● 1930’s -1950’s college-going pioneers
● Mexican American students breaking the barrier
El Movimiento in Higher Education, 1960-1980
● In this era, Latino youth played a critical role in demanding access to higher
education, curriculum changes, and faculty/staff recruitment.
● The Chicano Movement
● The Boricuan Movement
The Federal Government Steps In, 1980’s to 1990’s
● The movement’s of the 60’s and 70’s are now being co-opted into federal policy.
● The creation of the term “Hispanic”.
● The Hispanic Access to Higher Education Project.
● Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and Hispanic Serving
Institutions (HSI).
Austin Revealed: Chicano Civil Rights “Desegregation & Education”
ACTIVITY
Dolores Huerta
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Luis Muñoz Marín
Loreta Janeta Velazquez
Discussion Questions
1. “Although promising gains have been made in higher education enrollment among
latinos recent studies note that students continue to drop out at higher rates for
financial reasons.” (Macdonald & Garcia, 2003). With this statistic in mind, and the
knowledge from this week’s readings, how might Hispanic Serving Institutions be an
option to help Latino students who are struggling financially?
2. What types of initiatives could student affairs professionals put in place on college
campuses to help Latino students feel connected to the community?
3. One big way that some states are helping their undocumented students are by
providing In State Rate Tuition at certain institutions. What other ways could we help
provide access to higher education to undocumented students?