Houston,
12
August
2019
|
10:23 AM
America/Chicago

Department of Education Designates UST an Asian-Serving Institution

The Department of Education now designates University of St. Thomas Houston as an Asian-Serving Institution and a Minority-Serving Institution.To receive the Asian-serving institution designation a school must have an enrollment of undergraduate students that is at least 10 percent Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander students.

UST’s profile for undergraduate demographics is 23.2%, White, 45.5% Hispanic, .3% Native American, 12.2% Asian, 7.3% African American, .3 Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 8.4% International and 2.8% unknown.“This newest designation is the first step to recognize and support the needs of UST’s growing AAPI student population by providing resources and opportunities to earn a degree and embark on a career.” UST President Dr. Richard Ludwick said. “The University will apply for an AANAPISI grant to help lay the groundwork to support the unique needs of AAPI students.”The term “minority institution” means an institution of higher education whose enrollment of a single minority or a combination of minorities (as defined above) exceeds 50 percent of the total enrollment and these students must receive Federal financial assistance.Seventy percent of UST students are ethnically diverse. Students come from 58 countries. UST’s diversity mirrors that of Houston, which is the most diverse city in America, based on analysis of socioeconomic, cultural, economic, household and religious diversity according to the Kinder Institute.

UST Has Three Distinctions for Diversity

UST also holds the designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HIS), giving it three distinctions for diversity.

AANAPISI Program

The AANAPISI program - one of eight federally designated Minority Serving Institution (MSI) programs, was established by Congress in 2007 as part of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. The program was expanded in 2008 under the Higher Education Opportunity Act.

The AANAPISI program provides grants and related assistance to AANAPISIs to enable such institutions to improve and expand their capacity to serve Asian Americans and Native American Pacific Islanders and low-income individuals.Institutions may direct grants toward construction or renovation of instructional facilities, purchase of educational materials, development of faculty and curriculum, and support of student services.The only other college in Texas to receive an AANAPISI grant is Richland College in Dallas, Texas.