Kerrville, TX – Schreiner University will take on an exciting and special role for the National Hispanic Institute (NHI), serving as a host for two separate NHI programs in the same year. The university in the Texas Hill Country will be the site for two 2022 programs: The Texas Great Debate, a four-day NHI tradition that will take place June 11 to 14, and the Texas Star Great Debate, an experience convening June 16 to 21.

There are still a select number of spots available for both programs. The Texas Great Debate teams in a number of the state’s major cities and regions readying for its initial spring training and rehearsal sessions for students, while the Texas Star Great Debate invitations are expanding to school districts that would like to send cohorts of qualified students to participate.

“NHI programs are ideal for intelligent students who enjoy an intellectual challenge and are seeking greater community involvement,” said Nicole Nieto, executive vice president for NHI. “The Great Debate is ideal for those who want to invest time and energy in becoming better speakers and writers, who want to connect with other smart students and better prepare for college.”

Schreiner University, in addition to being a previous partner to NHI on its summer leadership education programs, is well-known to one of NHI’s principal program coordinators thanks to a personal connection.

“My own daughter, Paolina, attends Schreiner and I know it’s a safe space and wonderful, peaceful place for young people to get creative and have fun,” Nieto added. “The hills of Kerrville give the town a cozy, village-like feel. The beauty of the river, affordable

eateries, and laid-back lifestyle make it a wonderful place to study, learn, and grow.”

Schreiner has previously served as host for the Texas Star Great Debate program. Now, for the first time in history, NHI takes its four-day edition of the Great Debate there – which serves as a rendezvous point for a number of Texas regions, including the Tip of Texas (Brownsville), Rio Grande Valley (McAllen/Edinburg), El Paso, San Antonio, Dallas (North Texas; which is Dallas-Fort Worth), Houston, Corpus Christi, and Austin.

Unlike the six-day program, where students form teams shortly after arriving through a team selection process, the four-day version of the Great Debate involves teams that form and train during the spring, representing their respective cities and regions.

While it’s not the first time a host university has hosted two programs in a single calendar year, it is the first time that two Great Debate programs will share a host.

“We’re delighted to once again be the destination for NHI student leaders and have made the arrangements necessary to receive NHI’s largest summer program, the Texas Great Debate, on top of our ongoing support for the Texas Star Great Debate. We are committed to young people who dedicate themselves to leadership development,” stated Mark Tuschak, Schreiner’s Vice President for Student Recruitment, External Affairs, Marketing and Communications.

Current ninth-grade students are invited to apply to the Great Debate program. Call 512-357-6137 to learn more or go online to www.nationalhispanicinstitute.org/great-debate to apply. Enrollment will continue until programs are filled. NHI also seeks NHI alumni who want to serve in volunteer roles. Contact Julio Cotto at jcotto@nhimail.com for further information.