STCC is a Hispanic Serving Institution

STCC at the Springfield Puerto Rican Parade

In 2015 the College was designated a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) which made us eligible to apply for $2.75 million in federal grants to benefit all of our students. In order to be eligible, colleges must prove that at least 25% of full-time equivalent students are Hispanic. At the time of our designation, STCC was one of just three colleges in the state to be named a Hispanic Serving Institution.

In 2016 the College was awarded a five-year, $3.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education for the “Hispanic and Low Income Transformed Education in STEM (HiLITES) Project” to help Hispanic and low-income students obtain degrees in science, technology, engineering and math. STCC was the only community college in Massachusetts to receive the award from the DOE’s Hispanic Serving Institutions-STEM program.

U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield said, “Most jobs in the future will require a basic understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. That is why this federal assistance from the U.S. Department of Education is so important and timely. It will give Hispanic and low-income students an opportunity to learn the necessary skills that can lead to a successful career in the growing STEM industry. President Cook understands this, and that’s why I congratulate him and his team at STCC for securing this highly competitive grant. Because of their leadership, some of our region’s diverse student population are being given an extraordinary opportunity to receive a STEM-based education and find a good-paying job.”

President John B. Cook said, “We feel tremendously fortunate to receive this funding from the U.S. Department of Education and are also very grateful for the support offered by Congressman Neal. STCC is open-eyed about student needs, and this grant helps us address complex challenges. We look forward to building diversity across our unique array of STEM programs, and this is a chance to both expand initiatives, while also trying new and creative approaches.”

To learn more about the Hispanic and Low Income Transformed Education in STEM (HiLITES) Project visit HSI STEM @ STCC.