National Hispanic Institute

08/07/2026

Nine different teams — including teams from Guadalajara and Saltillo representing Mexico — participated in the 2026 edition of the Texas Ambassador Great Debate this summer. The program's educational director praised participants for their "commitment to their goals, resilience under pressure, and willingness to challenge not just the world around them but their own assumptions about themselves."

More than 170 students representing seven Texas regions and two regions in Mexico gathered for a four-day competition fostering community.

08/07/2026

We're taking a look back at our summer successes ... here's a look at the Colorado LDZ, with more than 200 students from the U.S. and Mexico converging for eight days of immersive learning.

“The future was our focus: Imagining it, envisioning it, staying laser-focused on neither the present nor the past, but rather the future that, as a community, we could shape, build, and thrive in,” said educational director Julio Cotto of the program.

He then listed qualities that made the 2026 Colorado LDZ special:

"Transnational. Transcultural. Multi-state. Multi-ethnic. Multi-generational. First-time NHI members. Great Debaters. Legacy children of NHIers from decades before. Bicoastal. Multilingual. Creative. Thoughtful. Energized and passionate.”

Colorado State University, a longtime NHI partner brought more than 200 students from the U.S. and Mexico for an energized eight days.

07/24/2026

Here's how to support students at the Texas CWS (in progress now at the University of St. Thomas), now and in the future

An NHI board member is offering a matching $20,000 donation to support its Texas CWS program; donors have until Dec. 31 to fund it.

07/17/2026

The 2026 Dennis Chavez New Mexico LDZ was "a beautifully orchestrated week of chemistry, connection, and continuity." Learn about the journey of 120 students through eight incredible days in Albuquerque.

The 2026 New Mexico LDZ — the fifth since NHI returned to Albuquerque — brought 120 students from around the state to UNM to learn and grow.

07/01/2026

"This program had a lot of heart between the staff and the kids,” said Texas Star Great Debate co-educational director Natalia Chapa Mills, reflecting on why it was a special six days. Learn more about the journey that nearly 100 students took at OLLU - Our Lady of the Lake University.

The 2026 Texas Star Great Debate, at Our Lady of the Lake University, brought nearly 100 students to San Antonio for a leadership experience.

07/01/2026

To help catch you up on the summer so far, here's the report from the Texas Great Debate at Austin College, where the Tip of Texas team once again excelled (but they weren't the only team to collect first and second place awards)

The 2026 Texas Great Debate at Austin College showcased eight talented teams, with Tip of Texas winning its ninth straight title.

05/26/2026

Tonight! College talk with alumna Marisa Zepeda. Time update - 7-8 pm CENTRAL U.S. TIME (Chicago, Dallas, San Antonio, Panama). RSVP or email [email protected].

05/21/2026

We are pleased to invite you to an exclusive virtual session hosted by the National Hispanic Institute (NHI), featuring NHI alumna and experienced college admissions counselor Marisa Zepeda.

📅 EVENT DETAILS

Topic: College Admissions Trends — Knowing What’s Going On in College Admissions & How It’ll Affect My College Application Process
Date: Monday, May 26, 2025
Time: 6:00 – 7:00 PM CST
Format: Zoom (link provided upon RSVP)
Presenter: Marisa Zepeda, NHI Alumna & Experienced College Admissions Counselor and Advisor
This is a LIVE ONLY event and will NOT be recorded.
📌 ABOUT THIS SESSION

Gain insight into the latest trends shaping college admissions today
Understand how current changes in the admissions landscape may impact your application strategy
Hear directly from an NHI alumna who has guided students through this process
Have your questions answered by a knowledgeable and experienced professional

✅ HOW TO RSVP

Your RSVP is required to receive the Zoom link for this session. Please RSVP using one of the following options:

Scan the QR code above
Visit: https://tinyurl.com/5n8mrs36

Seating is limited — please RSVP as soon as possible to secure your spot.

We look forward to seeing you there.

05/15/2026

Diego García is headed to UTSA, planning to move to the University of Texas at Austin via the UT-CAP Program. Congrats!

05/15/2026

Marianne Rodriguez is graduating from Fox Tech and heading to the University of St. Thomas (a College Register member and host of the Texas CWS)! Congratulations!