The student organization formerly known as Hispanos Unidos will now be called the Hispanic Student Association (HSA), a change aimed at clarity and inclusivity.
Founded in 1991, Hispanos Unidos was created by students who wanted to provide representation and community for Hispanic students on campus. Over the years, the group has played a key role in cultivating and celebrating Hispanic culture.
HSA President Ana Lara said the new name better reflects the organization’s mission and values.
“Our new name represents growth and inclusivity, making it easier for our organization to be recognized and understood both on campus and in the broader Abilene community,” said Lara, a nursing major from Merkel.
Lara said that while Hispanos Unidos emphasized unity, it unintentionally limited the audience they hoped to reach.
“By becoming the Hispanic Student Association, we aim to highlight not only unity but also inclusivity, building stronger connections with students of diverse Latin nationalities, including American Latinos, across campus,” Lara said.
The organization hopes the name change will help them achieve important goals, including fostering community, breaking down cultural barriers, and providing a welcoming environment for students of all backgrounds to learn, grow, and celebrate Hispanic culture.
The name change process began in May of 2024 when HSA officers first proposed the idea. They moved their operations to the Office of Intercultural Engagement and Belonging and submitted formal proposals to receive approval.
Over the summer, the organization completed a full rebranding under its new name, Hispanic Student Association. HSA Advisor Rosemary Gutierrez said the organization has also seen significant growth in membership since the name change.
“Membership growth has grown from last semester,” Gutierrez said. “We had 54 members and now 114 members, which is exciting.”
Gutierrez said the name change allows the organization to host more inclusive events for freshmen and that she wants to highlight the importance of representation for brown students.
Alejandro Palomino, HSA vice president, said the name change helps the organization reach a wider audience.
“With the name change, we want to represent more countries,” Palomino said. “Last year, some students thought the group was only for Spanish speakers, which made them hesitant to join. The new name gives us better recognition on campus and helps show that we welcome everyone,” said Palomino, a computer science major from Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico.
Students interested in joining HSA can find the membership form online and are encouraged to follow its Instagram, @acu.hsa, for updates and upcoming events.
