TTU System Institutions Reach Record Enrollment, Milestones
Texas Tech University becomes the only power 5 university in the Lone Star state to meet the criteria to qualify as a Hispanic Serving Institution.
September 19, 2017 | Written by Dana Jennings
Dr. Lawrence SchovanecAs fall 2017 enrollment numbers are made official, Texas Tech University System institutions are posting record enrollments and reaching major milestones.
Texas Tech University (TTU) announced last week that the school has officially met all Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) designation criteria.
The university is now eligible to apply for HSI status. When granted, TTU will join fellow TTU System institution Angelo State University (ASU), which reached HSI status in 2010, as the second institution in the TTU System to be designated as an HSI.
“This is an important distinction for Texas Tech University,” said TTU President Lawrence Schovanec in a news release issued by the university last week. “We are one of 10 Carnegie Tier One institutions to receive this designation, which will greatly benefit our continuing efforts in educating and graduating a diverse student population. Eventually, it will result in increased federal funding and offer other opportunities for funding channels previously unavailable.”
An institution is designated as an HSI when at least 25 percent of its full-time undergraduate students are Hispanic at the end of the year immediately preceding the date of application. TTU is on track for official designation beginning in 2019.
Dr. Brian J. MayTTU reached record enrollment in fall 2017, for the ninth consecutive year, with 37,010 total students. Of the 30,759 undergraduates, 27.8 percent are Hispanic.
Universities designated as an HSI have access to additional federal funding of more than $8 to $10 million. Funds are available after the application period that year.
In addition to meeting the HSI criteria for the student body, Hispanic enrollment at TTU in the fall semester accounts for 38.8 percent of first-time freshmen.
ASU announced last week it had surpassed the 10,000 student enrollment mark for the first time in school history. The university eclipsed its previous enrollment record with 10,447 total enrollment and meeting its long-term enrollment goal a full three years ahead of schedule.
“We are proud to be part of the Texas Tech University System among a choice group of institutions experiencing growth,” said ASU President Brian J. May. “Our collective efforts offer a wealth of higher education opportunities for students who become influencers around the world. We are grateful to the students, families, donors and friends of Angelo State and the System who contribute to this success.”
Chancellor Robert DuncanTTU System Chancellor Robert Duncan said he is proud of the institutions remaining committed to their goals while working strategically to reach such bold accomplishments.
“Texas Tech meeting Hispanic Serving Institution criteria and Angelo State reaching 10,000 students are the realization of long-time goals of the universities,” said Duncan. “This is an exciting time in the system as we reach record enrollment and milestones at all of our institutions, and I am so proud to work alongside the dedicated leadership who work tirelessly to make our goals a reality.”
Joining TTU and ASU among the TTU System institutions with record enrollment numbers is Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso (TTUHSC El Paso).
TTUHSC El Paso enrolled 665 students for fall 2017. Combined with its approximately 265 medical residents and fellows, TTUHSC El Paso is educating nearly 1,000 health care professionals this year.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) reached its highest enrollment since TTUHSC El Paso made the transition from a regional campus to a standalone institution in 2013. TTUHSC has a total student body of 4,804 for the fall semester.
With record enrollments across the board, the TTU System reaches over 52,000 students for the first time in history with approximately 52,926 students.
About the Texas Tech University System
Established in 1996, the Texas Tech University System is one of the top public university systems in the state of Texas and nation, consisting of four universities—Texas Tech University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Angelo State University and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso.
Headquartered in Lubbock, Texas, the Texas Tech University System is a $2 billion enterprise focused on advancing higher education, health care, research and outreach with approximately 20,000 employees, nearly 53,000 students, more than 330,000 alumni and an endowment over $1.2 billion.
In its short history, the Texas Tech University System has grown tremendously and is nationally acclaimed, operating on 17 campuses statewide and internationally. Under the dynamic leadership of Chancellor Robert Duncan, the Texas Tech University System has set forth a bold vision of excellence, collaboration and innovation and continues to prove that from here, it’s possible.