FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 13, 2025
Contact
Breana Staten, tnmedia@edtrust.org
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — EdTrust-Tennessee issued the following statement in response to the Tennessee Attorney General joining a lawsuit filed by the group behind the Supreme Court case that ended affirmative action. This latest legal effort targets federal funding for Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), which play a critical role in expanding access and opportunity for Latino students.
“Tennessee must continue to expand — not limit — the tools available to create a higher education system that meets the needs of an increasingly diverse student population.” said Alexza Barajas Clark, Executive Director at EdTrust-Tennessee. “Targeting federal funding for HSIs deepens existing gaps in opportunity and sets a dangerous precedent by opening the door to broader attacks on other minority-serving institutions, including our state’s HBCUs. This threatens our progress toward a higher education system that truly serves all students. ”
Investing in HSIs Strengthens Education for All Students. There are over 600 HSIs across the country, and Tennessee has one — Southern Adventist University. Even though Tennessee’s public institutions don’t benefit from funding targeted to Hispanic Serving Institutions, expanding resources for racial minority students strengthens our entire education system.
HSIs can receive support through multiple federal grant programs. These grants can also be used to support initiatives for the entire institution or to support students from low-income backgrounds. These grants are not restricted exclusively to serve Hispanic students, but to help build more inclusive and effective learning environments for every student.
“Federal funding that supports the specialized missions of minority-serving institutions is a critical resource we need to protect,” said Jenny Mills McFerron, Assistant Director of Policy and Research at EdTrust-Tennessee. “These institutions play key roles advancing economic opportunity for students traditionally underserved by our higher education system and we remain committed to ensuring that every student has access to the opportunities and support they need to succeed.”
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