Magazine Names University of Arkansas One of the Best Colleges for Hispanic Students

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The University of Arkansas is the best place for Hispanic students to attend college in the state. The University of Arkansas is the only Arkansas college or university named in The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education's Publisher's Pick issue, which was sent to 3,500 high school counselors across the nation, as well as the magazine's regular subscribers.

The publication's list of top schools includes "universities, public and private, rural and urban, large and small, at which Hispanic students are thriving."

With Hispanic enrollment increasing each year at the university this recognition does not come as a surprise to university administrators.

"The University of Arkansas is committed to creating and maintaining an environment that is inclusive of all people and one where all students of culturally diverse backgrounds will feel comfortable," said Johnetta Cross Brazzell, vice chancellor for Student Affairs. "It is encouraging to see that a publication like The Hispanic Outlook is recognizing the efforts that have been made by our university community in the past and also its commitment to creating a more diverse campus for all cultures, including Hispanic students."

Hispanic enrollment at the university has more than doubled within the last decade, with 206 students in 1998 to 527 students in 2007. According to the magazine, the University of Arkansas' increase in Hispanic students is part of a national upward swing in Hispanic college enrollment. "Hispanic enrollment in higher education - the actual headcount - increased immensely over the last decade - far more than that of any other racial/ethnic minority. A recent American Council on Education report shows a 67 percent jump between 1994 and 2004 and a 73 percent increase at four- year institutions. That is splendid news, and our institutions deserve applause for accommodating and enabling that increase," the magazine states.

The University of Arkansas provides a number of events and programs to help showcase and increase campus diversity.  Diversity Impact is a yearly event designed to introduce prospective students of diverse backgrounds to the university campus. Other programs intended to reach out to Hispanic students include the Hispanic Engineering Society offered through the College of Engineering, Latinos Unidos, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), and the International Culture Team, which is offered through the Office of International Students and Scholars. The entire university also celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month each year with numerous cultural, educational and entertaining activities.

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Scott Flanagin, coordinator of communications and outreach
Division of Student Affairs
(479) 575-6785, sflanagi@uark.edu