The Florida HSI Consortium, co-founded by Dr. Cyndia Morales Muñiz and Magda J. Castineyra, aims to improve educational outcomes for Hispanic students through collaboration among 16 institutions across the state.
The Florida Hispanic-Serving Institutions Consortium brings colleges and universities together to improve outcomes for Hispanic students—a commitment the project organizers said they emphasize.
According to the Industry Standards and Technology Organization, a consortium allows institutions to collaborate, share resources, and work toward a common goal.
Modeled after successful HSI consortia in Wisconsin, Arizona, Texas, and Colorado, The Florida HSI Consortium includes 16 public and private institutions, ranging from two-year colleges to four-year universities. The goal is to enhance collaboration among these institutions, improving resources, research, and professional development opportunities that directly benefit students and their communities.
Dr. Cyndia Morales Muñiz, senior director for HSI initiatives at UCF, is one of the co-founders of the consortium. With over 16 years of experience at the university and a doctorate earned from the institution, Morales Muñiz has been a driving force behind the consortium’s creation.
“I learned about other HSI consortia at a conference, and thought, ‘Wow, that sounds cool. It could be very helpful, and we should absolutely have something like that in Florida,’” Morales Muñiz said.
Dr. Cyndia Morales Muñiz works in her office at the Barbara Ying Center on April 3, contributing to the development of initiatives for the Florida HSI Consortium.
Since then, she has worked tirelessly to bring together various educational institutions across the state, emphasizing the importance of collective action.
“We all share a common interest in social mobility and economic prosperity for the students and the communities we serve,” Morales Muñiz said.
As one of the co-founders, Morales Muñiz’s role has been to provide a vision for the consortium, while also ensuring that all participating institutions have a voice.
“As the originator of this work in Florida and as co-founder, my duties and responsibilities are to provide the overarching vision and goals, but that’s all in collaboration with everyone,” Morales Muñiz said.
The consortium is currently in the early stages of its development, with plans for a Florida HSI Summit in September to further solidify its roadmap for future activities.
Magda J. Castineyra, dean of the Honors College at Miami Dade College, is also a co-founder of the Florida HSI Consortium and brings over 20 years of experience at the institution. Castineyra has worked extensively on initiatives that elevate the voices of Hispanic students in higher education, particularly in Florida.
With 30.2% of its undergraduates identifying as Hispanic, UCF exceeds the 25% threshold needed to qualify as a Hispanic Serving Institution, according to data from UCF and U.S. Department of the Interior. The Hispanic student population makes UCF eligible for federal funding and resources dedicated to supporting Hispanic student success.
“How does this work in a place like Florida, which includes Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Cubans, Colombians, and Venezuelans? It’s a rich mix, and we need to expand the narrative of what it means to serve these students,” Castineyra said.
Castineyra said her focus within the consortium has been on ensuring that Hispanic students have a larger voice in shaping their higher education experience.
“We want to know what’s really helping them succeed, and what they want to see more of,” Castineyra said.
To further this goal, Castineyra led a statewide survey to assess the strengths and areas for improvement at participating institutions.
“We put out a call for interest and asked institutions to identify what they’re doing well and where they might need expertise. We’re using this feedback to build committees that will address these issues.” Castineyra said.
Looking toward the future, Castineyra said she sees great potential in expanding the consortium’s impact.
“Once the summit is more widely announced, we hope more institutions will get involved,” Castineyra said. “Florida has a unique mix of schools, including two-year public schools, four-year universities, and a variety of private institutions. The collaboration between these different types of schools is key to our success.”
Both Morales Muniz and Castineyra said they are optimistic about the consortium’s ability to foster collaboration and address the needs of Hispanic students in Florida. As the consortium progresses, it aims to support not only academic achievement but also social mobility, workforce development, and economic prosperity for Florida’s Hispanic communities. Through increased communication, professional development, and community partnerships, the consortium seeks to enhance the higher education experience for Hispanic students across the state.
The Florida HSI Consortium is poised to make a significant impact on the state’s educational landscape, and both co-founders are dedicated to ensuring that it continues to grow and meet the needs of Hispanic students in the years to come.
