DHSI Program

Designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), Southern Adventist University received a five-year, $3 million federal grant from the Department of Education through its Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (DHSI) program that is earmarked to establish a STEM Success program for Hispanic, low-income, and other underserved student populations. Program goals include: 

1. Present underserved high school students with a compelling case for pursuing postsecondary STEM degrees as an investment in their futures.
2. Retain these students after enrollment through high-quality mentoring programs, targeted curriculum improvements focused on at-risk student groups, and directed access to resources addressing basic needs (food, transportation, and counseling, among others).
3. Graduate students in fewer years, and prepare each for immediate employment after graduation as a result of hands-on classroom training with state-of-the-art STEM equipment, paid internships, and paid undergraduate research.

Accomplishing these goals will involve further interdepartmental collaboration, an increase in student staffing for the existing peer-to-peer mentoring program, engagement of alumni and donors, and the hiring of additional staff to execute program plans.

For more information, please contact Kimberly Crider, HSI Project Manager at 423.236.2126.