Hispanic-Serving Institution Initiative
At MATC, our goal is to give Hispanic students the opportunity to transform their lives, improve their communities, and build a brighter future for themselves and their families.
What is a Hispanic-Serving Institution?
Hispanic-Serving Institution, or HSI, is a federal designation for colleges and universities that have a minimum of 25% of their undergraduate student population identifying as Hispanic.
By achieving this designation from the U.S. Department of Education, schools can receive significant federal funding for scholarships, student services, facility improvements, improved technology, faculty development and enhanced course offerings.
Why HSI Matters
In the four-county Milwaukee metro region, Hispanics are among the most underserved educationally and most under-represented professionally.
They are:
- Least likely to have a high school diploma.
- About 30 percent as likely as their white counterparts to have a four-year college degree.
- Under-represented in lucrative job sectors such as business and finance, healthcare, education, computer tech and law.
- Highly under-represented in every category that pays a median annual wage of $60,000 or higher.
Becoming an HSI can help MATC address these opportunity gaps in educational success and workforce training among the region’s growing Hispanic community. That’s because HSIs:
- Graduate more Hispanic students.
- Provide upward mobility for many students.
- Help under-represented students persist and thrive.
Hispanic Student Resources
MATC fosters a welcoming and inclusive environment for all Hispanic students by:
- Having Hispanic faculty members who support and understand Hispanic students.
- Offering programs and events that embrace Hispanic culture in authentic ways.
- Nurturing and sustaining focused, professional connections.
- Providing financial aid and academic support.
- Promoting degree completion.
- Supporting Hispanic student organizations.
MATC offers programs, services, support and resources to help Hispanic students, including:
HSI Champions/Co-Leadership Team
Patricia Torres Nájera, Ph.D.
Dr. Patricia Torres Nájera has 25 years of experience in higher education, fostering innovative partnerships between academica, industry, municipalities, schools and community groups.
Dr. Patricia Torres Nájera currently oversees MATC's Oak Creek Campus. Her work also includes workforce education, partnership development, dual enrollment and service on several nonprofit boards.
The daughter of Colombian immigrant parents, Patricia Torres Nájera embodies the immigrant experience: She was the first in her family to attend college.
Her focus is to ensure that Hispanic students reach their full potential by closing the achievement gaps between their peers.
Contact: najerap1@matc.edu | 414-297-7923
Maria Cristina Rodriguez
Maria Cristina Rodriguez is program coordinator and instructor of MATC's Dental Assistant program. She has been with MATC for three years and has seven years of experience in higher education. Rodriguez earned a Bachelor of Science degree in dentistry from the Universidad de Guadalajara in Mexico. She also received a technical diploma from MATC in Bilingual Dental Assistant.
She belongs to the American Dental Education Association, where she completed the Dental Faculty Leadership Development Program. She also completed the Hispanic Association for Colleges and Universities Enlace Mid-Level Leadership Program and is pursuing a doctoral degree in higher education leadership at Alverno College.
At MATC, Rodriguez has participated in the HSI Day of Engagement, MATC Day, commencement and registration day.
Contact: rodrm287@matc.edu | 414-297-6459