Constructing an HSI Organizational Identity at Three Hispanic-Serving Institutions in the Midwest: Ideal Versus Current Identity

As the number of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs; postsecondary institutions that enroll 25% or more Latinx students) in the United States increases annually, so does the need to theorize about what it means to have an HSI organizational identity. Using interview data from a multiple case study of three institutionally diverse HSIs in the Midwest, the purpose of this study was to apply the theoretical notions laid out in the Typology of HSI Organizational Identities about what it means for members to construct an organizational identity for serving Latinx students beyond the HSI federal designation. We utilized the typology to guide this study, seeking to better understand the misalignment between an ideal and currently constructed HSI identity. Findings confirm that the way members make sense of both an ideal HSI identity and a currently enacted identity are connected to outcomes and cultural indicators of what it means to serve Latinx students. Yet the ideal and the current identities do not always align, suggesting an HSI identity is transitional. Moreover, findings suggest that an HSI identity is likely connected to unique institutional missions and characteristics, which means it will vary across HSIs. Theoretical implications are discussed.