HSI-STEM

At Mission College, diversity isn’t just celebrated—it’s woven into our identity. As a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution, we stand at the intersection of culture, community, and opportunity, empowering Hispanic/Latinx students to thrive and lead.

Mission College is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI)

In 2016, Mission College was designated a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education, marking a significant milestone for the college. This recognition is granted to institutions that serve a Hispanic/Latinx student population of at least 25%. Mission College is proud of its commitment to supporting Hispanic/Latinx students and their academic success.

STEM Research

Through the HSI STEMLink Project, Mission College offers unique paid STEM research opportunities for students to work with faculty from both Mission College and local universities. These research experiences provide invaluable hands-on learning and career preparation.

Transfer Support

Mission College offers dedicated support for HSI-STEM transfer students. Our HSI-STEM Transfer Coordinator helps students identify clear pathways to transfer to four-year universities, with personalized resources to support their educational journey.

Available Grants

With the HSI designation, Mission College has successfully secured two HSI-STEM grants to enhance the recruitment, retention, and graduation of Hispanic/Latinx students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.

Transfer Opportunities: CSU and UC Systems

Mission College has strong transfer pathways for students aiming to continue their studies at California State University (CSU) or University of California (UC) campuses. Some of the top transfer schools include:

CSU Transfers: San José State, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, UC San Diego, and more.
UC Transfers: UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, and others.

Resources and STEM Programs

Mission College offers various resources for STEM students to support their academic and career goals:

Tutoring Help: The Academic Support Center and tutoring programs are available for STEM students.
Assist Program: Explore CSU and UC transfer programs to prepare for academic transfer.
MESA Program: STEM majors enrolled in 6+ units at Mission College can apply for MESA for additional support and resources.
STEM Core Program: Apply for STEM Core to gain internship experience and meet the math requirements for your STEM major.

For more information on STEM resources and STEM programs, contact the HSI-STEM office.

Mission College Access, Transition, and Connection Project (MC ACT)

Awarded in 2021, the MC ACT Project is a five-year, $3.7 million federal grant that runs from October 2021 to September 2026. This grant focuses on supporting Hispanic/Latinx and economically disadvantaged STEM students at Mission College. The key components of the project include:

Peer Mentorship Program for STEM majors (Peer Support Specialists)
Individualized STEM Counseling and Education Planning
Transfer Opportunities to four-year universities
Experiential Learning through internships and STEM research
Career Readiness and networking with industry professionals
Strengthening institutional capacity to better serve targeted students

The MC ACT Project builds on the success of the HSI STEMLink Project (2016-2022), which provided essential support for Hispanic/Latinx and economically disadvantaged students in STEM disciplines.