According to university officials, more than 25% of UT’s student body is Hispanic, while only five percent of UT was recognized as a Hispanic Serving Institution in 2025. According to the Bur de Censo de EE. UU., this location is evidence of the progress made in advancing the education of the Hispanic community, which makes up 40% of Texas’ population.
The history of Hispanity at UT was first acknowledged in 1902 when the first class referring to Latin America was created. The purpose of the European Expansion class was to educate students about Spanish colonization and to speed up interest by teaching them about the extensive legacy of Hispanic history in Texas.
Over the years, the establishment of the Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies (LLILAS) in 1940 and the Centro de Estudios M xico-Americanos in 1970 made it possible for the Hispanic community to be included. These two organizations were tasked with promoting and supporting the Hispanic community through research, studies, becas, subventions, and assistance.
Adela Pineda Franco, the director of LLILAS, stated that the institution is a place where students may expect to exchange ideas and have conversations.
According to Pineda, the institution teaches Hispanic students the rich legacy of their ancestors in the fields of history, art, science, and technology. Being proud to be Latino is what we strive for as a mica academic unit.
The rise in the number of Hispanic students in Texas, along with support organizations and changes to the admissions process, caused the university to go from 5,556 Hispanic students in 2001—roughly 12% of the student body according to the university’s pre-existing metrics—to 8,975 in 2011, or roughly 17.5%. showing a 6% increase in the next ten days.
According to an investigation by the Office of Strategic Initiatives, UT examined the growth of the Hispanic population in 2011 as part of its commitment to closing the access gap, increasing enrollment, and maintaining accessibility. This initiative, which was started by the Texas Junta de Educaci n Superior, aimed to increase the number of Hispanic students who could enroll in and participate in four-year UT universities. The goal was to increase the number of students from 133,562 in 2009 to 207,134 in 2015.
According to demogr ficos, the university currently has 13,725 Hispanic students and prides itself on being a place that encourages the blending and collaboration of all cultures and nationalities.
“It is through culture that the experiential reality is concretized,” Pineda said.Texas is a place where Hispanic culture flourishes and becomes a part of American culture.
UT provides more than 1000 student organizations for new students. Clubs, events, and organizations can be found on the HornsLinks website. Acci n! Cine Colectivo, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, the Hispanic Association of Computer Scientists, the Hispanic Association of Pharmacists, and the sorority Kappa Delta Chi are a few Hispanic organizations.
For those who want to get involved in Austin’s Hispanic culture, the Oto O offers a variety of opportunities. LLILAS hosts public cultural and academic events throughout the semester, as well as the Viva la Vida festival at the Mexican Art Museum in the city center on October 25. Restaurants like Little Patagonia Empanadas & Cafe and Salsa Limn, located on Guadalupe Street near the school, serve authentic Mexican and Argentinean cuisine.
