Hispanic Serving
Institution
¡Bienvenidos Wolves!
Western Connecticut State University is proud to be designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) by the United States Department of Education.
What does it mean to be a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI)?
According to the U.S. Department of Education, a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) is defined as an institution of higher education that has an enrollment of at least 25 percent undergraduate Hispanic students.
How does a HSI designation benefit WCSU's community?
As a result of the HSI designation, which also requires financial measurements, WCSU will be able to apply for federal Title III and Title V grants. Grant funds may be used for activities such as: scientific or laboratory equipment for teaching; construction or renovation of instructional facilities; faculty development; purchase of educational materials; academic tutoring or counseling programs; funds and administrative management; joint use of facilities; endowment funds; distance learning academic instruction; teacher education; and student support services.
“I am pleased to announce a significant milestone in the history of Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) – we have achieved the designation of a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). This accomplishment marks a pivotal moment in our progress toward fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within our campus community.”
– WCSU Interim President Dr. Manohar Singh
Focused on student success
We are proud of all our Hispanic alumni and are committed to continuing to make sure our students are both successful at Western Connecticut State University and after graduation.
WCSU Success Stories
Confidence, communication and computer skills gained at WCSU enabled Gizmo Rivera to build an award-winning Visual Effects career
Sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands. As a first-generation student growing up in New Britain, Guillermo “Gizmo” Rivera was interested in a career in media or entertainment, but he had several things working against him. His family could not afford a computer and his high school guidance counselor, based on her experiences with his older brother, had suggested that “college isn’t for everybody” and did nothing to assist him with his search.
So, Rivera did the research himself, applied to several universities and “left the doors open and let it be.” He ended up being accepted to universities in Maine, Rhode Island and several in Connecticut. Rivera made his decision based upon the first acceptance packet he received — from Western Connecticut State University — and took the first steps toward fulfilling his California dream….
Alumnus Guillermo Alexis ‘Gizmo’ Rivera
Ana Mendieta
Service-learning opportunities spark educational, career goals for first-generation WCSU alumna
Like many of her peers at Danbury High School, Ana Mendieta had immigrated to Fairfield County at age 10 from Ecuador. By the time she was ready to graduate from DHS, it seemed logical that as a fluent bilingual speaker in Spanish and English, a future as a Spanish teacher made sense. Her high school guidance counselor suggested she look at two local community colleges and Western Connecticut State University as her higher education options.
“I went to an Upward Bound Financial Aid night, and a WCSU Admissions counselor told me I would be able to attend WCSU,” Mendieta said. “They sat and helped my father and I complete a FAFSA form, and the assistance they gave us convinced me that WCSU was where I needed to go.”….
Upcoming Events
WCSU's Hispanic Community Celebración
Schedule of Events
3:30 p.m. – Welcome by WCSU Upward Bound, Pre-Collegiate & Access Programs Associate Director Jessica Coronel, and Gabriela Perez, a graduating senior majoring in Anthropology/Sociology and Psychology with a minor in Multicultural Studies.
3:45 p.m. – Celebration of Puerto Rican faculty, staff, students and community members with a performance by Brass City Bomba
4:15 p.m. – Celebration of Brazilian faculty, staff, students and community members with a performance by Benção Capoeira
4:30 p.m. – Lobo Awards Ceremony, presented by WCSU Interim President Manohar Singh and Professor of Social Sciences Dr. Carina Bandhauer
5:10 p.m. – Celebration of Mexican faculty, staff, students and community members with a performance by Trio Los Pájaros – Mariachi Music
5:45 p.m. – Celebration of Ecuadorian faculty, staff, students and community members with a performance by dancers from the Ecuadorian Civic Center of Greater Danbury
6 p.m. – Closing