WEST WINDSOR, NJ – Mercer County Community College (MCCC) has earned the designation of Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). To be eligible for this designation, the U.S. DOE completes an assessment that requires the designee to have at least a 25% enrollment of full-time students who self-identify as Hispanic or Latino. MCCC met this criteria based on Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, or IPEDS, data. The designation also requires that criteria be met pertaining to the enrollment of low-income students and university cost per student.
“This federal designation is a significant milestone toward reducing barriers to higher education, and creating an inclusive environment with equitable outcomes for all students,” said MCCC President, Dr. Deborah Preston. “It will allow us to continue providing the tools needed to empower our Hispanic and Latino students, and ultimately the broader community.”
In 2023, the Biden-Harris administration awarded more than $40 million to HSIs around the U.S. to expand educational opportunities, strengthen resources and improve retention of Hispanic and Latino students and the institutions preparing them for the future.
“Congratulations to the faculty and staff at MCCC for their hard work and continued dedication to meeting the needs of our growing Hispanic community, and all our students,” said Mercer County Executive, Dan Benson. “This national designation, combined with the College’s mission to support lifelong learners, is a huge step on the pathway toward equitable academic opportunities for all students, their families, and the community we are committed to serving.”
This designation provides opportunities to apply for grants within the Titles III and V programs. It also allows MCCC to tap into other resources including waiver eligibility of the non-Federal share matching requirements under the Federal Work Study Program, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program, and the TRIO Student Support Services Program that are intended to enhance academic programs, facilities, and services that expand educational opportunities for Hispanic Americans.
About Mercer County Community College
Established in 1966, Mercer County Community College is a publicly supported comprehensive institution that provides opportunities for higher education through an open-door admission policy. The scenic 292-acre West Windsor Campus was opened in 1972 to serve the needs of Mercer County residents. MCCC’s James Kerney Campus, located in downtown Trenton, serves as an educational and cultural hub for city residents that meets the changing needs of thousands of students and community members seeking educational fulfillment and personal and career growth. President: Deborah E. Preston, Ph.D.; www.mccc.edu