About CAHSI
Core Purpose
The core purpose of CAHSI is to create a unified voice in an effort to consolidate the strengths, resources, and concerns of CAHSI institutions that are committed to increase the number of Hispanics who pursue and complete baccalaureate and advanced degrees in computing areas. The core purpose provides the fundamental reason for the Alliance’s existence while guiding and inspiring the organization. By working as a focused, unified group, CAHSI efforts have been deliberate and effective. CAHSI’s organization, intervention efforts, and data reported in this proposal confirm this statement.
Goals
CAHSI goals are:
- To increase the number of Hispanic students who enter the professoriate in computing areas, or enter the computing workforce with advanced degrees.
- To support the retention and advancement of Hispanic students and faculty in computing areas
- To develop and sustain competitive academic and research programs at HSIs.
CAHSI strives to:
- Advance student and faculty research by building research capacity through mentoring Initiatives
- Promote CAHSI’s resource structure
About CAHSI
CAHSI is comprised of the following institutions:
The Computing Alliance of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (CAHSI) was formed in 2004 as a grassroots effort to increase the number of Hispanic students who pursue and complete baccalaureate and advanced degrees in the Computer and Information Sciences and Engineering (CISE) areas.
CAHSI institutions have made a difference in the number of students graduating in baccalaureate programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) areas. Contrasting total numbers of Hispanic computer science graduates from CAHSI institutions and from non-CAHSI HSIs in Texas, California, Florida, and New Mexico, we find that CAHSI institutions graduated 52%, or 178 students out of 328 total Hispanic graduates from all public HSIs in 2005-2006.
Our Motivation
As of July 1, 2007, population projections indicate that the greatest growth rate among all groups in the U.S. is projected for Hispanics [at over 45.5 MILLION or 15% of the total U.S. population (299 MILLION)]. Between 2000 and 2007, Hispanics accounted for one-half of the nation’s growth, this includes a Hispanic growth rate of 24.3% which was more than three times the growth rate of the total population (6.1%). In addition, there was a 3.3% increase in the Hispanic population between July 1, 2006, and July 1, 2007, making Hispanics the fastest growing minority group in the United States. The NSF report, Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering, states that minorities will comprise more than half (52%) of the resident college-age (18–24 years old) population of the United States by 2050. Despite these figures, Hispanics constituted about 1 percent of doctoral engineers in 2006-2007. The small number of Hispanic faculty, combined with the need for Hispanic role models and mentors, perpetuates a troublesome cycle of underrepresentation in STEM fields. With globalization and the increasing competitiveness of other countries in STEM, the United States is in danger of losing its leadership in these areas unless it mobilizes its efforts to broaden participation. Efforts such as the American Competitiveness Initiative and the report by the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology further support the need to invest in development of our youth to ensure our country’s leadership in STEM areas as well as the economic growth of our country. HSIs can contribute significantly to initiatives on competitiveness through the education and preparation of Hispanic students, and CAHSI plays a critical role in evaluating, documenting, and disseminating effective practices to recruit, retain, and advance Hispanics in computing areas.
