WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, members of the Senate Democratic Hispanic Task Force, have cosponsored a Senate resolution to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15-Oct. 15 and recognizes the culture, heritage, history and contributions of the Hispanic community in New Mexico and across the nation. Udall and Heinrich also cosponsored a Senate resolution designating the week of Sept. 18 as National Hispanic-Serving Institution Week, in honor of New Mexico's 18 colleges and universities with high enrollments of Hispanic students.
"New Mexico's Hispanic and Latino communities have played a strong role in writing the story of our state —making incredible contributions to our history, our culture, our economy, and our way of life. Hispanic and Latino traditions, communities and leaders have enriched our state for generations, and have helped make New Mexico the vibrant and diverse state that we are all so proud to call home," Udall said. "Today, Hispanic-Serving Institutions are helping to educate and develop the next generation of Hispanic leaders, and I'm committed to ensuring these institutions have the resources they need to continue empowering students in New Mexico and across the country."
"Our Hispanic community has long helped write the economic, social, and cultural story of New Mexico and the nation. This month, we celebrate the remarkable accomplishments and contributions made by the Hispanic community and their role in building a more vibrant and prosperous America," Heinrich said. "We also recognize the important role that Hispanic-Serving Institutions across New Mexico play in educating our students, training our workforce, and developing the next generation of leaders. I remain committed to fighting for the issues that matter most to New Mexico's Hispanic community and expanding opportunities for a bright future."
New Mexico is home to 18 Hispanic-Serving Institutions: Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute; Central New Mexico Community College in Albuquerque; Clovis Community College; Eastern New Mexico University in Portales and Roswell; Mesalands Community College in Tucumcari; New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas; New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro; New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs; New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, Alamogordo, Carlsbad and Grants; Northern New Mexico College in Española; The University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and Los Lunas; University of the Southwest in Hobbs; and Western New Mexico University in Silver City.
Defined as degree-granting institutions where total Hispanic enrollment constitutes no less than 25 percent of the total enrollment, HSIs play a critical role in educating Hispanic youth and improving the communities in which they are located. This resolution recognizes the accomplishments and goals of HSIs in the United States, which represent 13 percent of non-profit colleges and universities, yet serve more than 63 percent of all Latino undergraduate students across the nation.