Hispanic Women: Academic Advisees of High Potential

Increasing numbers of qualified Hispanic students are applyi g and gaining admission to post-secondary programs. A study of college students from 14 to 34 years of age demonstrated that of the total 11,230,848 students enrolled in institutions of higher education in fall 1978, 417,271 were Hispanic. Of these students 53,118 were enrolled in universities, 137,236 at other four-year institutions, and 226,917 in two-year institu tions across the United States. The dramatic change may be attributed in part to the increase of Hispanic women enrolled in institutions of higher education from fall 1976-1978. The number of Hispanic females increased from 174,076 to 204,747, an increase of 17.6 percent, while Hispanic males enrolled in institutions increased only 1.3 percent during the same time period. In reviewing Hispanics enrolled in college, a 1976 report on Hispanics on the U.S. mainland stated that while Hispanics are underrepresented in the total enroll ment, the proportion of Hispanic women is equivalent to the proportion of women in general in the total col lege population. In general, Hispanic students are poorer (56 percent are financially independent of their parents), and employed in jobs with longer hours for less pay than are other students. In addition, Hispanic students are likely to be older than their majority counterparts.1 The female Hispanic student faces a variety of poten tial problems as she pursues advanced education or training. Possible barriers to academic success may arise from within her culture and across cultures. Under standing these issues which may inhibit academic suc cess is essential in the advising and counseling process.