OUR MISSION: To inspire Latino students to discover their potential and ignite their desire to embrace education and achieve success. OUR VISION: To contribute to America’s future by inspiring Hispanic students’ academic performance and achievement.
The U.S. Hispanic population is among the largest and expected to grow from 55 to 119 million by 2060. However, while 90% of Hispanics say college is important, only 48% plan to enroll, and fewer than 10% have earned a bachelor’s degree ... Read More
OUR MISSION: To inspire Latino students to discover their potential and ignite their desire to embrace education and achieve success. OUR VISION: To contribute to America’s future by inspiring Hispanic students’ academic performance and achievement.
The U.S. Hispanic population is among the largest and expected to grow from 55 to 119 million by 2060. However, while 90% of Hispanics say college is important, only 48% plan to enroll, and fewer than 10% have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher. Unless students believe they can achieve, they are at an increased risk of dropping out—and indeed, the Hispanic dropout rate is the highest of all major racial and ethnic groups. This has huge consequences as jobs demand more education and Hispanics make up more of the workforce. Research shows that early intervention, especially during the middle school years, is key to reducing dropout rates. It also points to a strong correlation between having a role model and a student’s pursuit of higher education. HISPA unites students with successful, relatable role models during this critical period to increase students’ awareness of education as a means to succeed. Via the HISPA Role Model Program, Youth Conferences, and Corporate Visits, our volunteers emphasize the importance of academics and demonstrate that all students can overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams.
The HISPA Role Model Program engages HISPA Role Models to step into predominantly low-income, public middle schools in which Hispanics are the majority to share their stories and encourage student success.
HISPA Youth Conferences unite hundreds of students and HISPA Role Models for a full day on an elite university campus to introduce college life and hands-on exploration of STEM-focused studies and careers.
HISPA Corporate Visits bring students to our sponsor’s corporate headquarters, allowing them to explore career options first-hand alongside HISPA Role Models, all in a professional business setting.
Based in New Jersey, HISPA expanded to Texas in 2011; to New York in 2013; to Florida in 2016; and to Pennsylvania in 2019. To date, we have grown from 100 to 3,000 HISPA Role Models and have reached more than 20,000 students—and counting.
In 2020, HISPA was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM). The award is the highest national mentoring award bestowed by the U.S. government upon mentors who work to expand science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) talent amongst underserved and underrepresented communities.
Other awards, honors, and recognitions include: The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics “Bright Spot in Hispanic Education” (2015); New Jersey Hispanic Leadership Association Education Award (2014); Princeton University Service Award for exemplary service and dedicated leadership (2013); Latino Institute 2013 award for supporting Latino students at all levels; New Jersey Institute of Technology Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Educator of the Year Award (2012); Verizon Hispanic Support Organization Community Service Award (2012); Save Latin America, Inc. Tres Próceres Award (2011); and New Jersey Hispanic Research and Information Center Distinguished Maria De Castro Blake Outstanding Community Service Award (2010).
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