The Essential Hispanic Male: Examining Factors Contributing to a Hispanic Male Student’s Decision to Enroll in a 4-Year, Hispanic-Serving Institution

Hispanic student enrollment at 4-year institutions is declining, with a 2.4% undergraduate enrollment decline among all 4-year institutions and a 1.2% decline at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI). Additionally, 60% of all Hispanic students are enrolled at institutions designated as HSIs (Blake, 1000+ institutions are Hispanic-Serving or on the cusp. Inside Higher Ed, 2024). Research on the Hispanic students decline in enrollment and graduation at 4-year institutions is needed. The purpose of this chapter is to highlight factors impacting Hispanic student enrollment, retention, and graduation at 4-year HSIs. In addition, a call to action will be proposed for university leaders to consider as part of their enrollment management strategies. For over 20 years, the conversation about equity at universities has concentrated on the significant gaps in college access for Hispanic and African American people. The research has identified getting into college is not the only issue; Hispanic and African American students are also less likely to graduate college and are underrepresented in science, technology, math, and education fields (Libassi, The neglected college race gap: Racial disparities among college completers. Center for American Progress, 2018). Findings indicate higher education can develop better practices to attract, enroll, and retain Hispanic students at HSIs.