link HSI-STEM Grant Home

HSI Solar Suitcase event. A group of students poses with the finished solar suitcases.

Hispanic Serving Institution

In 2016, Mission College was designated a “Hispanic Serving Institution” (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education for the second time in its history. This designation is granted to colleges and universities that serve a Hispanic/Latinx student population of at least 25%.

With this designation, Mission College has successfully competed for two HSI-STEM grants that aim to strengthen the recruitment, retention, and completion of Hispanic/Latinx students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). 

In 2021, Mission College was awarded its second HSI-STEM grant titled Mission College Access, Transition, and Connection Project (MC ACT Project). 

MC ACT Project 

The MC ACT Project is a 5-year, $3.7M federal grant aimed at strengthening the college completion Hispanic/Latinx and economically disadvantaged students in STEM. The grant is set to run from October 2021 to September 2026. Primary activities of the grant include: 

  • Peer Mentorship Program for STEM majors (known as Peer Support Specialists).
  • Individualized STEM counseling and education planning. 
  • Exposure to transfer opportunities to 4-year universities. 
  • Experiential learning by way of internships and STEM research .
  • Career readiness exposure to industry professionals. 
  • Other strategic initiatives and collaborations to strengthen institutional capacity to serve targeted students. 

The MC ACT Project will build upon the work that was accomplished under the HSI STEMLink Project grant that was awarded to Mission College in 2016. 

HSI STEMLink Project (concluded 2022)

The HSI STEMLink Project is a five-year, $5.4M federal grant aimed at strengthening college enrollment and completion of Hispanic/Latinx students and students who are economically disadvantaged, with a focus in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Primary activities of the grant include:

  • Activities for local high school students (i.e. Summer Camps) 
  • Career Panels & Workshops
  • Conferences & Symposiums
  • Direct outreach to Hispanic/Latinx high school students and their families
  • Mentorship (Women in STEM Mentorship Program)
  • Paid Undergraduate STEM Research
 
Past events

Undergraduate STEM Research

Each summer, the STEMLink Project provides students the unique opportunity to participate in paid STEM research with faculty from Mission College and local four-year universities.

Watch the recording of the live event here.
When prompted to enter the passcode, enter: 8&0aEbis

Related STEM Programs