Hispanic Serving Institution
About
North Park University is proud to be a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), a prestigious federal designation awarded to 600 institutions in the United States. Since receiving the HSI designation in 2020, North Park has remained committed to cultivating a campus community where all students can thrive and flourish. North Park is also a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).
To become a designated HSI, an institution’s undergraduate enrollment must be at least 25% Hispanic (defined as an individual of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American or other Spanish culture or origin), provide an affordable education for students with high financial needs, and be committed to cultivating a campus that embraces diversity, equity, and belonging.
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
North Park is also a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). HACU represents more than 500 colleges and universities committed to Hispanic higher education success.
HSI Council
The HSI Council is an advisory board that provides frameworks, programs, and best practices to ensure Latina/o students continue to thrive and flourish while pursuing their degrees at NPU.
Principles guiding the HSI initiatives and goals:
- Ensure organization members understand their responsibilities when enrollment of Latina/o students exceeds 25%
- Producing equitable outcomes for Latina/o students
- Cultivate a campus culture that enhances the racial and ethnic experience of Latina/o students
- Design programs and curricula that incorporate cultural practices and norms grounded in Latina/o ways of knowing and being
Supporting Latina/o student thriving
First-year experience
- Persistence Through Advising and Student Outreach (PASO) advisors
- “Flourishing Student Experience” first-year seminar
- Peer Student Success Coaching
- Cohorts
Student organizations
- Dreamers United
- First Generation Club
- Latin American Student Organization
- Mujeres Unidas
Career readiness
HSI Council
- Advisory board
- Provides frameworks and programs to better serve Latino/a students
Scholarships and internships
Why choose an HSI?
- Diverse student body
- First-gen community
- Latina/o representation
- Grant-funded programs geared towards Latina/o success
Since receiving the HSI designation, I truly believe North Park has been trying to hold true to being a serving institution by creating a board to hear the voices of students.
—Loribeth Godinez BS ’24
HSI Week
HSI week is September 7–13, 2026. Keep checking back as we add more events.
Faculty Dialogue on Servingness and Inclusive Practices
In celebration of our HSI designation and Hispanic Heritage Month, the HSI Council invites faculty to join a conversation on Servingness and Inclusive Practices during Fika on September 9 in the Johnson Center Board Room.
This interactive dialogue will bring together faculty from across the institution to explore strategies to foster student success, create inclusive learning environments, and advance our shared commitment to serving a diverse student body.
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HSI News
Seminary Spotlight
An Intercultural Approach to Faith
August 4, 2025
Feature
Building an Intercultural Campus
August 1, 2025
Megan Gilmore BA ’05, MA ’13, MNA ’13
Feature
Honoring Our Roots, Embracing the Future
August 1, 2025
Ellen Almer BA ’94
News
North Park University Named a Fulbright Hispanic Serving Institution Leader
November 25, 2024
Contact
Division of Student Engagement
Johnson Center, first floor
5141 N. Christiana Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625