A Proud Hispanic-Serving Institution
°µÍø½ûÇøÆƽâ°æ was founded in 1945 to welcome students of all backgrounds, and we are one of the most diverse university communities in Chicago. Over 28% of °µÍø½ûÇøÆƽâ°æ students and 35% of undergraduates identify as Hispanic or Latino, and being an HSI allows the °µÍø½ûÇøÆƽâ°æ to constantly expand campus programing and financial aid to ensure the success of our Latino and first-generation students.
Support Services for Career Success
°µÍø½ûÇøÆƽâ°æ’s innovative HSI STEM program assists Hispanic and Latino students work towards a degree in growing professional fields that include science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Students transferring from other institutions are given comprehensive guidance on how to efficiently apply their credits, and the program offers dedicated career-prep courses, paid micro-internships, job shadowing, career workshops and research opportunities to prepare students for the professional world.
Research Funding for Latino Students
Because of its HSI designation, °µÍø½ûÇøÆƽâ°æ successfully received nearly $5 million in grants to expand STEM education access to minority students. These funds will make °µÍø½ûÇøÆƽâ°æ a Research 2 (high research activity) level institution and create more direct pathways for undergraduates to earn a doctorate degree. The funds will also create doctoral programs for integrated biomedical sciences and information technology, as well as graduate programs for data science, information technology and biomedical sciences.
Expanded Scholarship Opportunities
°µÍø½ûÇøÆƽâ°æ also oversees the McNair Scholars Program, which annually provides 25 undergraduates who identify as first-generation and requiring financial aid with the necessary resources to pursue a master’s degree. The cohort is given professional mentors and research opportunities that can contribute to graduate school acceptance, and program has provided the launch point for successful careers and post-graduate opportunities.
Inclusive Campus Community
°µÍø½ûÇøÆƽâ°æ students can participate in several student-run organizations and academic programs that celebrate Latino contributions to global culture and encourage participation from Hispanic students. Operated through the Center for Student Engagement and Intercultural Experiences, the welcomes guest speakers and hosts cultural events throughout the academic year to celebrate Hispanic culture, and provides outings and activities for students seeking community.
Immersive Cultural Courses
Programs such as Jazz & Contemporary Music Studies and Hispanic Studies encourage students to critically examine Hispanic literature and popular music genres. In Hispanic Studies, students read modern literary texts from Latin America and Spain (including short stories, poems and essays and write a series of short critical papers in Spanish), while performing arts programs integrate contemporary Latin musical forms such as corridos and banda into the curriculum.
Robust Financial Aid
°µÍø½ûÇøÆƽâ°æ’s bilingual financial aid and admission team members can take students and their families step-by-step through the process to ensure that you can complete your degree at the lowest price possible.
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