Hispanics make up the fastest-growing minority population in the United States. Yet only slightly more than half are high school graduates, and more often employed in service and unskilled jobs.
But for the last 15 years, federal grants have been trying to bridge that gap in educational achievement.
This week, SDSU received the news about becoming an Hispanic Serving Institution, or HSI.
"There are many people and many groups that have been historically marginalized and disenfranchised," said Aaron Bruce, the director of diversity at the school. "So as long as there's a need for that, I think there's going to be a benefit in having these types of designations."
The grant could mean up to $2 million for the school, to help boost Hispanic enrollment and graduation rates.
HSI schools have a 25 percent Hispanic enrollment, but are free to use the grant money to benefit their entire student body.
