NASA strives to advance diversity, inclusion and unity, as well as ensure that the civil rights of all of our employees are protected. The Agency’s Hispanic Employment Program (HEP) is directed at ensuring that this constituency remains a successful part of a broader diversity and inclusion strategy for the agency and is enabled to contribute to mission success. This program is federally mandated, having its authority grounded in Presidential Executive Orders.

At NASA, we understand that our responsibility to diverse groups extends well beyond federal mandates. We define diversity broadly to include all elements of our human identities and to encompass every aspect of difference. Across the agency, we are interested in leveraging the ideas of every employee to fuel innovation and drive mission success. The Hispanic constituency is a critical piece of our overall diversity strategy.

Employee Resource Groups

Across the agency, there are Hispanic and Latino Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) composed of members of the NASA community who are willing to help promote the efforts of the HEP. These groups work closely with the Hispanic Program Managers to identify opportunities and challenges associated with creating an inclusive work environment. They assist in the educational and cultural competency awareness efforts as well as liaise with various internal and external stakeholders and collaborators on matters that encompass all aspects of equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in NASA programs. They serve as a catalyst for achieving NASA EEO and Diversity and Inclusion objectives through effective culture transformation, interventions, and strategies. Members of the NASA community who are interested in becoming part of one of the Hispanic ERGs may contact the HPM at a NASA Center for information.

History and Presidential Orders

At nearly 23 million, people of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity represented fifteen percent of the U.S. labor force in 2011. U.S. labor force projections show that by 2018 Hispanics and/or Latinos will comprise eighteen percent of the labor force.

• In 1970, President Nixon issued a comprehensive Sixteen-Point Federal Employment Plan aimed at increasing Hispanic representation in the Federal workforce.
• In 1973, the 16-point plan was renamed “Spanish-Speaking Program” to emphasize bilingual skills; and in 1978, the program was again renamed to what it is known as today, the “Hispanic Employment Program” (HEP).
• In 2000, President Clinton issued Executive Order 13171, which requires Executive Departments and Agencies to establish and maintain a program for the recruitment and career development of Hispanics in federal employment.
• In 2010, President Obama issued Executive Order 13555, an order that called for expanding educational opportunities and improving educational outcomes for Hispanics and Latinos of all ages, and to help ensure that all Hispanics receive an education that properly prepares them for college and productive careers.
• In 2011, President Obama issued Executive Order 13583, which contain comprehensive strategies for the identification and removal of barriers to equal employment opportunity that might exist in recruitment, hiring, promotion, retention, professional development and training, policies, and practices.

Federal Reports

Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Hispanic Employment Statistical Report, is a yearly report that containing information on the representation of Hispanics within the Federal Government and best practices of federal agencies.

The U.S. Census Bureau Hispanic Origin Data is a site that provides the latest Hispanic origin news releases and statistics published by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Program Reports

The 2008 U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Report on the Hispanic Employment Challenge in the Federal Government contains both assessments of the problems and issues concerning Hispanic employment, and recommendations on how to resolve them.

Center Resources

Ames Research Center

Armstrong Flight Research Center
For information please contact (661) 276-3033

Glenn Research Center
For information please contact (216) 433-2463

Goddard Space Flight Center

Headquarters

Johnson Space Center

Kennedy Space Center
For information please contact (321) 867 9169

Langley Research Center

Marshall Space Flight Center
For information please contact (256) 544-6764

NASA Shared Services Center
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Stennis Space Center
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