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Biden hosts formal ceremony to celebrate federal support for Hispanic-serving institutions

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Biden hosts formal ceremony to celebrate federal support for Hispanic-serving institutions
News

News

Biden hosts formal ceremony to celebrate federal support for Hispanic-serving institutions

2024-11-01 04:44 Last Updated At:04:50

President Joe Biden hosted a formal ceremony Wednesday to publicly celebrate his executive order establishing an initiative to increase funding for Hispanic-serving institutions and create a board of advisors on HSIs.

Hispanic-serving institutions, or HSIs, which are not-for-profit schools with a full-time equivalent undergraduate student enrollment that is at least a quarter Hispanic, are vital to the goals of equality in educational and economic opportunities, according to the White House.

With Hispanic people accounting for almost three-quarters of the nation’s population gain, according to U.S. Census Bureau population estimates from 2022 to 2023, higher education leaders are urging the president to spread the word about the new initiative, given its potential to help Hispanic students catch up to peers from some other backgrounds.

“Hispanic-serving institutions are places that turn dreams into reality for students across the country,” Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a statement on X. “When we support inclusive spaces, we are supporting everyone!”

The ceremony came after the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, a nonprofit advocacy group, released a petition for Biden to host a public event to promote the HSI initiative.

Higher education advocates in Latino communities say that they are optimistic about the federal effort to support hundreds of local colleges and universities.

In a statement, HACU CEO Antonio R. Flores, who was at the ceremony, thanked Biden for taking action to advance the success of HSIs. Flores said the executive order shows a federal understanding of how crucial HSIs are to the future of the nation.

“The numerous forms of support for HSIs established by this order is the start of a new era for our schools, expanding and improving the landscape they operate within,” Flores said. “This will ensure HSIs have a seat at the table so that the students they serve have access to an education that is equitable and accessible, fulfilling the promise of the American dream that increasingly depends on a college degree.”

Latino students are hopeful that the executive order will help HSIs improve their infrastructure and ability to provide more resources in a variety of languages to its students.

The more than 500 HSIs in the U.S. and Puerto Rico serve more than 4.7 million students every year, according to federal data. Many students are low-income, and nearly a third are eligible for Pell grants, which are federal scholarships for students in need.

Unlike historically Black or Native American tribal colleges and universities, which are given their designations based on their missions, any college can receive the HSI label and related federal money if its Latino enrollment reaches at least 25% of the student body.

Hispanic people, who can be of any race, are the nation’s second-largest demographic. Their population grew last year by about 1.2 million, to 65.2 million, meaning Hispanic people make up almost a fifth of the total population, according to census estimates.

Biden’s order is intended to strengthen HSIs’ ability to provide high-quality education, benefit from existing federal programs, and increase their students’ educational and economic mobility.

HSIs “play a critical role in ensuring Latinos have access to the middle class and can fulfill their aspirations,” White House domestic policy advisor Neera Tanden said in a statement emailed to The Associated Press. “The president’s executive order will strengthen these critical institutions and build their capacity to provide economic mobility for all their students.”

The Associated Press received financial support from the Sony Global Social Justice Fund to expand certain coverage areas. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

President Joe Biden meets with President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

President Joe Biden meets with President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

LONDON & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 31, 2024--

Haymarket Media Group today announces the non-executive appointment of Dana DiFerdinando to its US-based Haymarket Media, Inc. Board. DiFerdinando brings a wealth of expertise and experience in global healthcare and life sciences technology and joins existing non-executive Board Members, Melissa Boone and Dr. Robert G. Uzzo, MD, MBA.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241031426080/en/

DiFerdinando has built, transformed, and led multi-million dollar organisations focused on the development of innovative technology and data products and solutions, and has held numerous leadership and c-suite roles in the digital healthcare, technology, life sciences and consulting industries.

Kevin Costello, global chief executive at Haymarket Media Group Limited, and Chair of Haymarket Media, Inc. Board said: “I am delighted to welcome Dana to the Board. Her exceptional roster of expertise, industry knowledge, and innovative vision align perfectly with our mission to continue driving growth and delivering world-class content. I know Dana will play a key role in the expansion of our specialist content, products and services in the US, and will perfectly complement our existing Board talent.”

Haymarket Media, Inc. is a specialist media, information, data and analytics business with 24 market-leading brands in healthcare and business media. Headquartered in New York City with offices in New Jersey, Illinois, and Florida, the US business is a subsidiary of the global Haymarket Media Group Ltd, based in the United Kingdom and founded in 1957.

Lee Maniscalco, CEO of Haymarket Media, Inc. added: “Dana’s deep expertise in digital healthcare and life sciences will be a tremendous asset to our US Board. Her insights and fresh perspective will help us push the boundaries of innovation and deliver even greater value to our partners, clients and audiences. I can’t wait to see all we can achieve as we explore new opportunities and strengthen our position as a leader in these critical sectors.”

Speaking about the appointment, DiFerdinando said: “I am thrilled to join Haymarket Media, Inc. as a Non-Executive Director. Haymarket’s reputation as a leader in healthcare communications and its commitment to delivering high-quality, specialised content across multiple channels is truly remarkable. I look forward to contributing to the company’s strategic direction, working closely with the executive team, and helping Haymarket continue its growth and innovation within the media and healthcare industries.”

About Haymarket Group
Haymarket Media Group is a privately-owned media, data and information company, shaping a better future with remarkable content for specialist audiences across the world. The company has 1,300 employees across offices in the UK, US, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, Germany and the Netherlands.

Haymarket’s portfolio consists of more than 70 market-leading brands including Campaign, Third Sector, ENDS Report, What Car?, MyCME and Asian Investor.

Through live, digital, print, education, data, tech services, video and audio, Haymarket’s brands inspire, inform and empower clients and communities internationally.

www.haymarket.com

Dana DiFerdinando (Photo: Business Wire)

Dana DiFerdinando (Photo: Business Wire)

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