William Paterson University is proud to be designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). The University received this distinction in fall 2014 when our total Hispanic student enrollment surpassed 25 percent. As of fall 2017, our Hispanic enrollment has increased to more than 31 percent. The third most diverse public university in the state of New Jersey, William Paterson has a long tradition of educating first generation college students, many of whom are children of immigrant parents, to become active and engaged citizens of our state and nation. Our HSI designation is a reflection of the diversity among our students, faculty, and staff. The designation also allows the University to expand educational opportunities for Hispanic students. An active member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), an advocacy group for Hispanic Americans, the University has been featured on the cover of Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education. In addition, the University has joined the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, which is dedicated to increasing public understanding of how immigration policies and practices impact our students, campuses, and communities and supporting policies that create a welcoming environment for immigrant, undocumented, and international students.
