Lubbock Christian University has received its official designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution from the U.S. Department of Education.
A Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) is a federal designation given to accredited, degree-granting, public or private nonprofit institutions of higher education where at least 25% of the total undergraduate enrollment is Hispanic or Latino. During the 2024-25 academic year, LCU’s own Hispanic population reached 28.6%, and after a thorough application process, the U.S. Department of Education granted the university HSI status.
“Lubbock Christian University is honored to be recognized as a Hispanic Serving Institution,” shared LCU’s seventh President, Dr. Scott McDowell. “LCU has always done a good job of serving the educational needs of Lubbock and our surrounding communities. When you consider the fact that our local Lubbock Independent School District enrolls more than 60% Hispanic students, you can see that our enrollment growth with this student group is a natural extension of what we have always done. We look forward to walking with this significant cohort of students and continuing to grow in ways that reflect our strong commitment to the Lubbock community.”
LCU fosters an ongoing commitment to creating a welcoming, inclusive environment and supporting academic success for all students, particularly those from Hispanic and underrepresented backgrounds. Each year during GO! Orientation, LCU hosts the Familia Azul luncheon for the families of Hispanic students, sharing brief testimonies from Hispanic students, faculty, and staff members about their LCU experience. LCU also hosts other cultural events throughout the year, like Taste the Nations, a student- and staff-led event that brings together students from across the globe to celebrate the various cultures represented in the LCU student body.
Isaias Miranda, Director of the Center for Student Success, emphasized, “Being designated a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) is a profound honor and a milestone that Lubbock Christian University has diligently pursued for many years. This achievement reflects the commitment and dedication of our faculty and staff, who make it our mission to empower students to lead lives of purpose and service. Attaining HSI status not only affirms our ongoing efforts to support Hispanic students but also compels us to uphold a standard of excellence in serving students from all backgrounds,” he added.
The Hispanic-Serving Institution designation brings several advantages to LCU, including access to additional federal funding. HSIs are eligible for Title V grants and other federal programs specifically designed to improve academic offerings, support faculty development, enhance student services, strengthen administrative infrastructure, and upgrade technology and facilities. It also provides eligibility for research and partnerships, as many federal agencies (e.g., NSF, NASA, NIH) offer HSI-targeted grant opportunities to expand STEM research, community engagement, and innovation capacity.
The designation also provides enhanced support for Hispanic and underserved students. Funding can be used for tutoring, mentoring, advising, scholarships, cultural programming, and language-support services. The designation underscores the institution’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and representation, and enhances the university's appeal to diverse student populations, especially Hispanic communities, which in turn can lead to additional institutional growth and development as HSI grants can improve retention, graduation rates, and academic outcomes, benefiting the entire student body.
“LCU is committed to continuously improving service and support for all students,” shared Dr. Yvonne Harwood, Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness. “We are excited to partner with students as they pursue their educational goals and the HSI designation creates opportunities for additional resources and professional development to better serve students. We look forward to exploring new and innovative ways to help students successfully complete their education and go on to serve their communities with excellence through resources made available by this designation.”
Learn more about the ways LCU supports its students.