America's first four-year Latino university, serving first-generation and underserved students from 1981–2015.
National Hispanic University was established in 1981 by Dr. B. Roberto Cruz, a first-generation college graduate from Texas, to address the educational needs of Hispanic students, particularly those who were first in their families to attend college. Inspired by the success of historically Black colleges and universities, Dr. Cruz envisioned an institution that would have a similarly transformative impact on the Hispanic community. The university began in Oakland and relocated to a larger 11-acre campus in East San Jose in 1995. NHU published annual reports on Hispanic quality of life and operated an Upward Bound program to serve economically disadvantaged youth.
NHU was accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a Baccalaureate College with academic breadth in Diverse Fields. The institution offered undergraduate degrees and certificates in business, education, and technology. After joining the Laureate International Universities network in 2010, NHU expanded to include online courses and concentrations, though this strategic shift contributed to enrollment challenges and eventual closure.
The university occupied a predominantly Latino and working-class neighborhood in the San Jose foothills. Initially housed in a single building, the campus grew to an 11-acre facility by 1995. NHU established the Educational Talent Search program in San Jose and the Early University Program in 2009 to introduce high school students to college. The institution was deeply embedded in serving the local Hispanic and underserved communities.
Following the death of founder Dr. Roberto Cruz in 2002 and unsuccessful attempts to secure funding from Silicon Valley philanthropists, NHU joined Laureate International Universities in 2010. The transition to a for-profit model resulted in loss of federal and state funding. The Board of Directors announced closure in March 2014, and the university officially ceased operations on August 23, 2015. The NHU Foundation continues to use the campus to serve the educational needs of the San Jose Hispanic community.