UTEP Ranked a Top Degree Producer for Hispanic Students
Last Updated on September 24, 2018 at 12:00 AM
Originally published September 24, 2018
By UC Staff
UTEP Communications
The University of Texas at El Paso has been recognized as one of the top minority degree producers by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine, validating UTEP’s successful efforts to bolster degree attainment of underrepresented minorities, primarily Hispanic students.
UTEP ranked No. 1 in the nation for awarding doctoral degrees to Hispanics in engineering, and No. 3 for doctoral degrees in rehabilitation and therapeutic professions.
At the master’s level, the University ranked in the top 5 in conferring degrees to Hispanics in engineering (No. 1), multi/interdisciplinary studies (No. 1), mathematics and statistics (No. 2), English language and literature/letters (No. 3), physical sciences (No. 3), and rehabilitation and therapeutic professions (No. 3). It is ranked No. 5 in awarding multi/interdisciplinary degrees to all minorities.
The University ranked among the top 5 institutions in awarding undergraduate degrees to Hispanic students in biological and biomedical sciences (No. 3); accounting and related services (No. 3); homeland security, law enforcement, firefighting and related protective services (No. 4); and engineering (No. 5).
“These rankings substantiate UTEP’s role as a national leader in public higher education,” said UTEP President Diana Natalicio. “They reflect our deep commitment to providing equitable educational access for traditionally underrepresented minority students from a broad range of backgrounds, and enabling them to complete highly valued degrees. UTEP’s holistic approach to student success – analyzing the many factors that impact their progress toward degree completion, and addressing them through tailored programs and resources – has been highly effective in achieving UTEP’s access and excellence mission.”
Diverse: Issues in Higher Education rankings are based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education (the 2016-17 academic year).
Rhonda V. Sharpe, Ph.D., founder and president of the Women’s Institute for Science, Equity and Race, compiled the data exclusively for the magazine as part of a national report on the ability of U.S. colleges and universities to award degrees to African-American, Asian American, Hispanic and Native American students.
UTEP is one of the few doctoral/research universities in the U.S. with a majority Mexican-American student population. Eighty percent of the University’s students are Hispanic, 83 percent are from El Paso County and 4 percent are Mexican nationals.
“We take our role and responsibility as a public research university with a primarily Mexican-American student body very seriously,” said UTEP Provost Carol Parker. “The caliber of our students is unquestionable; we are especially proud of their success. This recognition demonstrates our commitment to our mission, and further validates the effort our excellent faculty, staff and administration make to increase access to higher education, while simultaneously providing our students with exceptional educational opportunities.”
The Top 100 annual rankings are featured in the magazine’s Aug. 23, 2018 edition.