Hispanic Student College Institute Gives High Schoolers a Head Start

As a high school senior, Brianna Subero worried about what college life would be like. A first-generation Dominican-American and the first in her family to attend college, she felt stressed and uncertain about how to make the transition. That changed after attending the Hispanic Student College Institute (HSCI) and applying to Montclair State University.

As more Latinos pursue higher education, HSCI provides high school students with a head start on college applications and financial planning.

“I always thought college would be in my future, but HSCI made it seem possible and reassured me that everyone’s path to college isn’t the same,” says Subero ’24, who graduated in May with a degree in Business Administration.

About the Hispanic Student College Institute

HSCI, running this summer from July 7 to July 10, emphasizes the University’s commitment to creating life-changing educational opportunities for all students. Montclair is New Jersey’s largest Hispanic-Serving Institution, a federal designation that identifies close to 600 colleges and universities where at least a quarter of their undergraduate populations are Hispanic.

Montclair has seen its number of Latino students grow since earning the designation eight years ago. In the incoming class of 2028, more than 45% identify as Hispanic.

“HSCI provided my mom and I with so many different resources about financial aid, application tips and networking skills,” Subero says. “It also helped me gain confidence and come out of my shell, which definitely prepared me for attending college and being involved in campus and holding leadership positions,” including working this summer as HSCI’s peer mentor coordinator.

Highlights of the HSCI program include:

• No cost to attend. The program is free for all participants
• Free housing on campus to give students a taste of the college experience
• Sessions on college planning, how to pay for college aid and choosing a major
• Networking events with professional and academic mentors. Students are introduced to a variety of career fields and experts, including professionals from NBC/Telemundo and Deloitte
• Workshops for parents and extended family members offered in English and Spanish

“We want to provide as much information and experiences as possible for these students to be successful and to approach the path to college from an even stronger position,” says Associate Provost for Hispanic Initiatives and International Programs Katia Paz Goldfarb. “At the same time, we want them to see themselves as belonging on campus and to a community that is here to support them.”

The program receives financial backing from State Farm Insurance, Deloitte and Department of Education Full Service Community School Grant in collaboration with Montclair’s Office of Community Engagement One-Square Mile project.

Support continues once students arrive on campus as college freshmen, with Montclair’s Office for Hispanic Initiatives helping them overcome hurdles by providing opportunities, resources and support. This commitment is exemplified by:

• A national designation with the First Scholars Network for Montclair’s commitment to ensuring first-generation college student success.
• Research opportunities provided by the American Heart Association’s Hispanic-Serving Institutions Scholars Program.
• Acceptance of University leaders into the Latino Student Success network, part of Excelencia in Education, the nation’s premier authority in efforts to accelerate Latino student success in higher education.
• Recognition as a Fulbright Hispanic-Serving Institution Leader for three consecutive years, one of only 46 colleges and universities in the country to earn the federal designation.

I’m a ______, tell me more…

Prospective Student / Parent: Learn more scholarships, internships and Pre-College Programs offered by the Office of Hispanic Initiatives, plan a visit to our campus and take the first step in applying to become a Red Hawk!

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