For years, Hispanics in Iowa were largely ignored.

They were the unseen minority, as diversity issues focused primarily on the African-American population.

But in Iowa today and at Iowa State, Hispanics are a thriving community and a force to be reckoned with.

The U.S. Latino Studies Program at ISU has done a terrific job of attracting students, both Hispanic and non-Hispanic, to its courses and programs.

The program has dramatically increased in size during the last few years. A new major is now offered in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Latino Studies. Several classes, including a new Latino History class to be offered in the spring, are available for students to learn more about Hispanics. And a $1,000 scholarship is offered to a student in the Latino Studies major.

The program is reaching out to students from all ethnic backgrounds.

And students have responded.

This year, there is a record number of Hispanic freshmen enrolled at ISU.

Hispanic freshmen are up 45 percent, and there are 10 National Hispanic Scholars here this year, more than ever before.

These are impressive accomplishments for a school in the middle of Iowa. But lest we pat ourselves on the back too much, we still have a long way to go to achieve real and lasting diversity at this university.

Although the number of freshmen is up, the overall number of Hispanics is basically the same as it has been for the past several years. That suggests we may have a problem with retaining the Hispanic students already here.

When it comes to keeping minority students at ISU, the student body has to take some responsibility.

We have to prove that ISU is a place that values many different cultures and ethnicities. We have to prove that we believe diversity makes Iowa State a stronger campus.

There are several different things we as students can do to encourage minority students to come to ISU and to encourage them to stay once they’re here.

We can support the Hispanic community by getting involved in Hispanic Heritage Month. We can advocate the building of a campus multicultural center. We can enroll in a new one-credit class, “Dialogues on Diversity,” and talk about issues that face all different ethnic groups on campus.

ISU has come a long way in diversity, particularly when it comes to Hispanic enrollment. But let’s not stop now.

Let’s all do our part to make ISU a place where students of all backgrounds want to come.