Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Bob Menendez
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As part of National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week, and to mark the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), the highest-ranking Latino in Congress, and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) today announced the launch of the first-ever Senate Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Caucus for the 117th Congress. As in previous years, Sen. Menendez led the Senate Resolution to designate the week of September 13, 2021 as “National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week.”
“As a proud alumnus of one of New Jersey’s leading Hispanic-Serving Institutions, I experienced first-hand the positive impact these institutions make in the lives of Hispanic students across the country by providing them with unparalleled academic and professional opportunities,” said Senator Menendez. “It gives me great pride to join Sen. Padilla in leading this initiative in the Senate to recognize, promote and enhance the key role Hispanic-Serving Institutions play in preparing our nation’s Hispanic students to succeed academically, thrive economically, and to become our next generation of leaders. At a time when initiatives for inclusion and diversity have become an economic and moral imperative, we will also use this Caucus to support diverse leadership opportunities in higher education.”
“To support a highly educated workforce, develop future leaders, and build a more inclusive democracy and economy, we must ensure Latino students thrive. No other state has more Hispanic-Serving Institutions than California, where we know that diversity is our greatest strength,” said Senator Padilla. “That is why I am proud to launch the HSI Caucus in the Senate with Senator Menendez to help promote equity in higher education both in the Golden State and throughout the country. I’ll continue working in Congress to ensure that HSIs have the tools and resources they need to support our students and the communities that depend on their success.”
The caucus is supported by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.
“The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities is pleased that Senator Padilla and Senator Menendez, who represent states with many HSIs will be leading the Senate HSI Caucus,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores. “We hope that through their leadership and the support of more Members of Congress, we can continue to heighten appreciation and federal support for HSIs, resulting in increased funding allocations and enactment of laws that benefit HSIs and the students they serve – the workforce of tomorrow.”
The 20 HSIs in New Jersey are:
- Atlantic Cape Community College
- Bergen Community College
- Bloomfield College
- Caldwell University
- College of Saint Elizabeth
- Cumberland County College
- Essex County College
- Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus
- Felician University
- Hudson County Community College
- Kean University
- Middlesex County College
- Montclair State University
- New Jersey City University
- Passaic County Community College
- Pillar College
- Rutgers University-Newark
- Saint Peter’s University
- Union County College
- William Paterson University of New Jersey