FSU Law, Med schools top 10 for Hispanics

FSU Law, Med schools top 10 for Hispanics

"FSU's College of Law, above, was ranked among the nation's top 10 for Hispanic students by Hispanic Business. / Rache Melnicki/FSU

According to Hispanic Business’ latest rankings, Florida State University’s colleges of law and medicine are ranked within the top 10 in the nation for Hispanics.

The schools are ranked based on several criteria, such as the ratio of Hispanics as part of the total enrollment of the college, the ratio of full-time Hispanic faculty, the school’s reputation, and their use of progressive programs intended to support, recruit, advise, and mentor the Hispanic student population.

Falling second only to Florida International University’s College of Law, FSU’s law school secured its spot at number two among the nation’s top law schools. It is also the 11th year in a row that FSU’s College of Law is named within the top 10 law schools for Hispanics. In 2013, 8.9 percent of the College of Law’s enrollment was composed of Hispanics, and Hispanics received 28 of the 251 law degrees—over 11 percent—of those awarded to the Class of 2013. Out of the college’s full-time faculty, 13.3 percent was Hispanic, the second highest Hispanic enrollment, falling short only only to FIU’s 22.7 percent full-time Hispanic faculty members.

“We are all thrilled to once again be named in the Hispanic Business’ Top 10,” said College of Law Dean Donald J. Weidner. “Our community as a whole is enriched by the Hispanic and Latino dimensions of our students, faculty, staff and alumni.”

With 10 out of the 113 M.D. degrees earned in 2013, Florida State’s College of Medicine secured the eighth spot on Hispanic Business’s list of top medical schools for Hispanics in the nation. In 2013, the Hispanic enrollment at the College of Medicine made up 11.3 percent of the total graduate enrollment. The college’s full-time faculty was also made up of 3.8 percent Hispanics.

“This is a great credit to our admissions committee and staff, who work hard to identify incredible students who fit our mission,” said College of Medicine Dean John P. Fogarty. “Students who come here find a welcoming and supportive atmosphere and a sense of family for all students, regardless of race or ethnic origin. We are proud of our success and pleased to be acknowledged once again as a top medical school by Hispanic Business.”

The continued efforts of both the staff and the faculty of the Colleges of Law and Medicine have been recognized by Hispanic Business and both deans expressed the significant importance of this recognition.

Hispanic Business is a media company that publishes business and political news stories oriented toward Hispanic professionals and entrepreneurs. It focuses on growth in the U.S. Hispanic market, economic trends, diversity and philanthropy, supply-chain development, best business practices, and career development opportunities all centered on the Latino community. Hispanic Business has gained a projected readership of about 1 million."