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Contributor
Peace, Meghann (Faculty Mentor)
Digital Publisher
Digital Commons at St. Mary's University
Publication Date
Spring 2026
Keywords
Hispanic American College Students, Diverse Educational Environments, Diversity, Hispanic-serving Institution (HSI), St. Mary's University, Cultural melting pots, Department of Languages, History, Higher Education
Description
Since its founding in 1852, St. Mary’s University has evolved from a small institution into a diverse and inclusive community that has worked to overcome discriminatory barriers. Originally founded to serve Mexican students in underserved communities, the university has reflected San Antonio’s Cultural diversity since its earliest years. Its founder, Reverend John Marie Odin, envisioned supporting a “melting pot” of cultures within the city (Flores, 2019). While the university has grown significantly in enrollment, Hispanic culture and traditions have remained a central part of its identity. Today, with over two thousand students enrolled, St. Mary’s University continues to not only embrace but celebrate its role as a Hispanic-serving Institution. This study examines the historical context of St. Mary’s University highlighting how it has navigated challenges to emerge as a diverse and inclusive institution.
Format
Size
1 poster
City
San Antonio, Texas
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Included in
Cultural History Commons, Higher Education Commons, Public History Commons, Race and Ethnicity Commons, Social History Commons, United States History Commons