North Carolina Community Colleges shine as Hispanic-Serving Institutions during Hispanic Heritage Month

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, North Carolina proudly recognizes its two community colleges, James Sprunt and Sampson Community Colleges, as the state’s only Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). Located in eastern North Carolina, these institutions stand just 30 minutes apart and play a pivotal role in serving the state’s growing Hispanic/Latino population. 

HSIs are federally recognized colleges with a student body comprising at least 25 percent full-time Hispanic students. North Carolina has one four-year institution and another 11 community colleges as emerging HSIs. 

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have long been pillars of educational opportunities for Black students. Similarly, HSIs are instrumental in amplifying opportunities for Hispanic/Latino students. The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, founded in 1986, championed the recognition of HSIs by Congress in 1992. This designation allows colleges to access federal grant funding, enhancing their capacity to serve Hispanic students through infrastructure, faculty development, student support, and curriculum enhancement. 

Sampson Community College made history in 2020 as the first North Carolina college to earn the HSI designation. Blair Hairr, Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs, expressed pride in the recognition, emphasizing the college’s dedication to the success of its increasing Hispanic student body. 

“This designation recognizes our faculty and staff for their commitment to the success of a growing number of Hispanic students enrolling in all our programs of study.  To Hispanic students who are considering post-secondary education, it lets them know that SCC provides an environment which supports their success,” Hairr said. “SCC continues to enjoy sustained enrollment growth benefitting from the growing number of Hispanic students choosing SCC as their pathway to skills training or further education.  We believe the HSI designation affirms SCC’s commitment to fulfilling the mission of the North Carolina Community College System. 

Following closely, James Sprunt Community College received its HSI designation in 2021. Dr. Jay Carraway, the college’s president, highlighted the significance of the designation, noting the growing Hispanic population in Duplin County.  

“We were strategizing ways at James Sprunt to effectively and proactively recruit, retain, and assist our Hispanic students while offering them an invitational and inclusive environment to receive education and training. As community colleges, we are called to serve all of our community. If we do not effectively serve our Hispanic community, we are not fulfilling our mission,” he said. “We are fortunate to have HSI designation because it opens the door for us to apply for grants that are only available to Hispanic-Serving Institutions.” 

Furthering the commitment to Hispanic/Latino education, the “Train the East” initiative was recently launched. This two-year program, a collaboration between Lenoir, James Sprunt, Sampson, and Wayne Community Colleges, aims to bridge educational opportunities for the Hispanic/Latino community in eastern North Carolina. Funded by a $1 million award from Anonymous Trust, each participating college will receive $250,000.