The Voice of Hispanic Higher Education - Spring 2023

OF HISPANIC HIGHER EDUCATION

VOLUME 32 | NUMBER 1 | SPRING 2023

The Voice of Hispanic Higher Education is published quarterly by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, 4801 N.W. Loop 410, Suite 701, San Antonio, Texas 78229.

The Voice of Hispanic Higher Education reserves the right to edit all materials submitted for publication. We are not responsible for returning any unsolicited materials such as photos, brochures, etc. We also reserve the right to refuse publication of any unsolicited material.

Publisher Antonio R. Flores, Ph.D.

HACU President and CEO

Senior Vice President for Programs and Operations

Lisa Alcorta, Ph.D.

Editor

Norma Jean Revilla-García njgarcia@hacu.net

Assistant editor/writer

Chris de Hoyos chris.dehoyos@hacu.net

Designer Michael Lopez michael.lopez@hacu.net

HISPANIC

ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES GOVERNING BOARD 2022-23

Mike Flores, Chair Chancellor

Alamo Colleges District

San Antonio, Texas

Juan S. Muñoz, Vice Chair Chancellor University of California, Merced Merced, Calif.

Margaret Venable, Secretary President Dalton State College Dalton, Ga.

Emma Grace Hernández

Flores, Treasurer President Universidad de Iberoamérica San José, Costa Rica

Federico Zaragoza, Substitute for Past-Chair President

College of Southern Nevada Las Vegas, Nev.

Ted Alejandre

Superintendent   San Bernardino County Schools San Bernadino, Calif.

Irma Becerra  President  Marymount University  Arlington, Va.

Adela de la Torre President San Diego State University San Diego, Calif.

Howard Gillman

Chancellor University of California, Irvine Irvine, Calif.

Reyes González  President  St. Augustine College  Chicago, Ill.

Devorah Lieberman President University of La Verne La Verne, California

Cesar Maldonado Chancellor Houston Community College Houston, Texas

Gary May Chancellor University of California, Davis Davis, Calif.

Margaret McMenamin President  Union College  Cranford, N.J.

Brad Mortensen President Weber State University Ogden, Utah

Greg Peterson President Chandler-Gilbert Community College Chandler, Ariz.

Garnett S. Stokes President The University of New Mexico Albuquerque, N.M.

Luke Visconti Chairman and Founder  DiversityInc  West Palm Beach, Fla.

Antonio R. Flores, Ex-Officio President and CEO HACU

Subscription Rates:

The subscription rate for nonmembers of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) is $35 for one year and $50 for two years. For members, the rate is $28 for one year and $40 for two years. Information and subscription available at www.hacu.net.

ABOUT

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, founded in 1986, represents more than 500 colleges and universities in the United States, Latin America, Spain and school districts throughout the U.S. The mission of HACU is to champion hispanic success in higher education. HACU is the only national association representing existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities has been very active these past few months involving partnerships and advocacy efforts. We signed an MOU with the FBI, coordinated an MOU signing ceremony for April with the Administrator at USAID and announced the members of the HACU-USDA Leadership Group. We also hosted a roundtable discussion in Washington, D.C. with Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas and chancellors and presidents of Hispanic-Serving Institutions and emerging HSIs. The meeting also included a session with Deputy Assistant Secretary Charles Small for Intergovernmental Affairs of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Both meetings are featured on page 12.

We are looking forward to returning to Washington, D.C. for our 28th Annual Capitol Forum on Hispanic Higher Education, April 18-19, 2023. This is the first in-person gathering for the Capitol Forum since 2019. Our registrations indicate we will have the largest number of attendees for this event to help us make the case to advocate for greater funding for HSIs during our visits with a new Congress on Capitol Hill. We are also pleased to announce Secretary of Education Miguel A. Cardona, Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo and Assistant Secretary of State Lee Satterfield are among the keynote/plenary speakers.

HACU is also preparing for our recently announced International Symposium, “Transforming the U.S. – Mexico/Latin America Collaborative Landscape,” June 22-23, 2023, and a pre-event Executive Leadership Seminar, June 19-23, which will both take place in Guadalajara, México. The week after, HACU on the Road meetings are scheduled in Guadalajara and Mexico City with university and corporate leaders. These international convenings are essential to engaging our members and supporters with collaborative opportunities transnationally. We hope you and your students will join us at our upcoming events this year.

In addition to the member news highlighted in this issue, we are also excited share the appointments of two fellows of HACU’s Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo to leadership positions of president and executive director of HSI initiatives. The success of this program led us to create the Enlace Mid-Level Leadership program that is targeted to develop mid-management leaders in higher education. Our leadership programs are vital to increasing Hispanic representation in leadership positions at HSIs.

This issue also features student success grant stories about Title V programs at member institutions: California State University Chico; North Shore Community College; the University of the Incarnate Word; and Marymount University. We thank these institutions for sharing their stories with our readers and encourage others with a federal grant success story to submit stories for consideration to news@hacu.net.

Thank you for your continued support of HACU and its mission of championing Hispanic success in higher education.

Cordially,

Antonio R. Flores President and CEO

HACU and USDA Agricultural Export Market Challenge winning team announced

Institutions in bold are HACU-member institutions.

• Alverno College, Milwaukee, Wis.

• California State University, Bakersfield, Calif.

• California State University, Chico, Calif.

• California State University, Fresno, Calif.

• California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Calif.

• Columbia Basin College, Pasco, Wash.

• Dominican University, River Forest, Ill.

• Kean University, Union, N.J. (two teams)

• Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Mo.

• New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, N.M.

• North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, N.C.

HACU and the United States Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service have announced the selection of North Carolina A&T State University as the winning team of the Agricultural Export Market Challenge.

The Agricultural Export Market Challenge is an immersive learning experience using the case study method and role playing to simulate the work that FAS subject matter experts perform every day to increase export opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products.

“We congratulate the institutions selected to participate in the USDA FAS Challenge. As the implementing partner on this project, HACU is dedicated to providing learning opportunities that challenge students to seek possible solutions to real world problems,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores.

The goal of the simulation is to help students accrue knowledge and skills across the disciplines of economics, diplomacy, scientific analysis, marketing, and trade policy.

The team finalists that presented their solutions to FAS leadership on March 3, 2023, included: California State University, Chico, (California), North Carolina A&T State University, (Greensboro, North Carolina) and St. Mary's University (San Antonio, Texas). The finalists were selected from 16 minority-serving institutions.

• North Shore Community College, Danvers, Mass.

• St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas

• Sul Ross State University, Alpine, Texas

• University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nev.

• West Texas A&M University, Canyon, Texas

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Understanding Topic & Analysis:

-New Mexico State University

-California State University, Chico

Marketing Plan

-Cal Poly Pomona

-St. Mary’s University

Presentation

-Kean University (Dr. Vaccaro)

One-Pager

-Alverno College

-California State University, Fresno

HACU signs MOU with Federal Bureau of Investigation

HACU and the Federal Bureau of Investigation signed a memorandum of understanding to acknowledge their relationship and to encourage more cooperative activities between the two organizations.

“HACU is pleased to enter into this agreement to help provide career opportunities within the FBI to students from Hispanic-Serving Institutions,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores. “It’s vital that we build a strong talent pool to fill critical roles within the federal government and that reflect the future workforce of this nation.”

Under the MOU, the FBI will share information with HACU about a variety of FBI internships and programs open to college students as well as hiring opportunities for seniors and recent graduates.

“I am honored to sign this agreement on behalf of the FBI and to acknowledge the vital work of the HACU on behalf of Hispanic students,” said Assistant Director of the FBI’s Office of Public Affairs Cathy L. Milhoan. “We are striving to be more representative of the people we serve, which we can only do through a more diverse workforce. Our employees will be enriched through exposure to the broad cultural spectrum these students represent. Hopefully, these students will see the benefits and appeal of joining our dedicated ranks.”

USDA-HACU Leadership Group announced

HACU and the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the USDA-HACU Leadership Group. Five leaders from Hispanic-Serving Institutions will serve with USDA representatives. The leadership group is an initiative as part of a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Agriculture Secretary Vilsack and HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores on Aug. 25, 2021.

“HACU is pleased to partner once again with USDA on this important leadership group that will offer invaluable insights on collaborative opportunities for Hispanic-Serving Institutions and the USDA,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores. “Hispanics are the nation’s youngest and fastest-growing population, and together we can prepare the next generation of agriculture professionals and scientists to have a workforce that reflects this changing demographic.”

USDA-HACU Leadership Group is a national body that focuses on ensuring that the Hispanic community equitably participates in and benefits from USDA education and employment programs, resources and services.

“USDA is committed to centering Latino voices and experiences to provide equitable access to programming,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Our partnership with HACU through this Leadership Group is crucial to providing leadership and strategic direction for USDA’s work with Hispanic-Serving Institutions.”

HACU members include:

• Mike Flores, Chancellor, Alamo Colleges District (Co-Chair)

• Cesar Maldonado, Chancellor, Houston Community College System

• Tomás Morales, President, California State University, San Bernardino

• Madeline Pumariega, President, Miami Dade College

• Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, President, California State University, Fresno

USDA members include:

• Jenny Lester Moffitt, USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs (Co-Chair)

• Karama Neal, Administrator, Rural Business – Cooperative Service, USDA Rural Development

• Bruce Summers, Administrator, USDA Agricultural Marketing Service

• Randy Moore, Chief, USDA Forest Service

• Dionne Toombs, Acting Director, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture

HACU receives a USAA grant for $1 million to support financial education program for students and families in San Antonio

HACU was awarded a $1 million grant from the United Services Automobile Association for the Financial Proficiency and Entrepreneurship Program. HACU, in partnership with local institutions in the San Antonio area, will help students and their families become better informed to plan for their financial future through the program.

HACU is partnering with six area school districts and four colleges and universities to implement the financial competency education program on their campuses. The program will help both high school and college students to maneuver the complexities of financial assistance, credit worthiness, and long-term strategies to ensure their financial independence and well-being. Approximately 1,125 high school students and 650 college students are expected to participate in the semester long program.

“Ensuring high school and college students learn about personal finance early on is important for their future success,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores. “We are thankful to USAA for this grant that will help college bound Hispanic students and their families have a greater awareness of financial considerations, but also aid enrolled college students to plan beyond graduation.”

HACU will collaborate with the following San Antonio school districts: Southside ISD, South San ISD and Southwest ISD. The program will help high school students and their parents prepare for college and provide information on how to effectively manage family finances and student financial aid opportunities. High school students completing the program will be eligible to apply for a scholarship to attend one of the participating colleges/universities.

Additionally, college students enrolled in business courses will have the opportunity to learn about small-business management and financing and serve as a resource for the Latino family-owned small business community. The following Hispanic-Serving Institutions will be among the participants: San Antonio College, Palo Alto College, St Philip’s College, Our Lady of the Lake University, and the University of Texas at San Antonio.

The programs began in the spring of 2023.

For rates, visit www.hacu.net/TheVoice or send an email to news@hacu.net Subject: The Voice magazine Ad

HACU, SiteOne Landscape Supply accepting scholarship applications

HACU has partnered with SiteOne to award scholarships to eligible undergraduate students at HACUmember institutions. A total of 5 ($1,000) SiteOne Landscape Supply Scholarships will be awarded.

Applications will be accepted until May 31, 2023.

Café Bustelo El Café del Futuro Scholarship to award $125,000 in scholarships

HACU has partnered with Café Bustelo® to award twenty-five $5,000 El Café del Futuro Scholarships. Since 2014, $680,000 in scholarship funds have been awarded to more than 100 Hispanic students nationwide through the partnership.

The scholarship opportunity is available to undergraduate and graduate students of all majors who are enrolled full-time at a four-year HACUmember institution, are 18 years old or older, of Hispanic/Latino descent and U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents.

Applications will be accepted until July 3, 2023.

HACU partners with United Health Foundation to offer Diversity in Health Care Scholarships

HACU has partnered with the United Health Foundation to offer 95 Diversity in Health Care Scholarships in the amount of $5,000 per year ($2,500 per semester).

Applications are currently being accepted from full-time or part-time sophomore, junior, graduate or professional studies students who are pursuing degrees (associate, bachelor, master, doctorate) that will lead to careers as clinical professionals that may include physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, nurse, pharmacist, dentist, social worker, addiction counselor, clinical psychologist or related clinical profession.

Applications will be accepted until May 1, 2023.

HACU, Cricket Wireless accepting scholarship applications

HACU has partnered with Cricket Wireless to award scholarships to eligible undergraduate and graduate students at HACU-member institutions. A total of 10 ($1,000) Cricket Wireless Scholarships will be awarded.

Applications will be accepted until May 1, 2023.

HACU accepting applications for 2023-24 Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo

HACU Leadership Academy La Academia de Liderazgo

Extended Application Deadline:

April 28, 2023

hacu.net/leadershipacademy

HACU announced applications are being accepted for the fifth cohort of its Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo. The Leadership program prepares senior higher education administrators at colleges and universities nationwide for top leadership roles at Hispanic-Serving Institutions, emerging HSIs and other institutions of higher learning. Applications will be accepted through April 28, 2023, with selected participants notified on May 19, 2023.

The one-year fellowship program includes webinars and three seminars. The first seminar will be held in Chicago, Illinois in Oct. 2023, in conjunction with HACU’s Annual Conference. The second seminar will be held in Washington, D.C., in April 2024, at HACU’s National Capitol Forum. The third seminar will be held in Salamanca, Spain in the summer of 2024, at HACU’s International Conference.

Fellows chosen for the 2023-24 cohort are selected through a competitive application process. Information on the program, cost, application process and frequently asked questions are available on the program website.

HACU-member institutions can send news, photos and their logo for publishing consideration in an upcoming magazine edition. Send to news@hacu.net.

Enlace Mid-Level Leadership program to help increase

Hispanic representation in leadership positions at HSIs

LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

Extended Application deadline: April 28, 2023

HACU announced the launch of the Enlace Mid-Level Leadership program, targeted to develop mid-management leaders in higher education. The program is especially designed to help increase Hispanic representation in leadership positions at Hispanic-Serving Institutions.

The Enlace Mid-Level Leadership program is a six-month development experience for college and university professionals serving around the mid-level of their organizations. Academic leaders or non-academic support personnel within the structure of higher education organizations are encouraged to apply.

The Program will cover areas beneficial to participants and their home institutions, such as academic and student affairs management, regional institutional accreditation, higher education advocacy issues, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Participants will also interact with professional search firm partners.

The six-month program will begin with a one-day in-person session in Chicago, prior to HACU’s Annual Conference in October 2023. Participants attend the conference as part of the program requirements and complete four, two-hour online sessions in November, December, February, and March. The final in-person session will take place in the spring of April 2024 in Washington, D.C., where participants also attend the Annual National Capitol Forum on Hispanic Higher Education.

Information on the program, cost and application process are available on the program website.

The application process will close on April 28, 2023, and the selected participants will be notified by May 19, 2023.

Hispanic-Serving Institution leaders in Washington D.C.

HACU joined the President’s Alliance on Higher Education for a day of action to advocate for a bipartisan legislative solution to protect Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, undocumented students, and other Dreamers.

Hispanic-Serving Institution leaders were in Washington D.C. for meetings on Capitol Hill and with White House officials. Among the many HSIs in attendance, HACU welcomed Our Lady of the Lake University, Phoenix College, Chandler-Gilbert Community College, and Marymount University. While in Washington D.C. the leaders met with Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.

HACU statement on the House passage of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act

HACU applauds the inclusion of critical investments in the House-passed James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the Fiscal Year 2023. The NDAA includes muchneeded investments that will enable Hispanic-Serving Institutions to increase their research capacity and diversity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

HACU is supportive of the following sections:

• Section 222: Outreach to HBCUs and other MSIs regarding National Security Innovation Network programs.

• Section 223: Report and pilot program based on recommendations regarding defense research capacity at HBCUs and other MSIs.

• Section 1083: The Ronald V. Dellums Memorial Fellowship in STEM.

We applaud the creation of these programs that will aid our nation in developing a diverse national security workforce and urge Congress and the Department of Defense (DOD) to ensure that HSIs receive equitable federal funding that is proportionate and commensurate to their growth.

HACU president and CEO meets with Ambassador of the United States of America to Mexico

HACU statement Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations

HACU issued a statement on the FY 2023 Appropriations Bills urging the funding of Hispanic-Serving Institutions.

“HACU applauds the FY 2023 appropriations package,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores. “However, we look forward to continued collaboration with the new Congress on the FY 2024 budget to continue to support HSIs at a level that is commensurate with their growth. Increased funding is necessary and essential to address the decades of inequity that HSIs have historically endured.”

The FY 2023 appropriations package includes the following:

• Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (Title V, Part A): $227.7 million, which is a 24.5% or $44.85 million increase from FY22.

HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores met with Ambassador of the United States of America to Mexico Ken Salazar. The meeting was part of the celebration of the Bicentennial of Diplomatic Relations between the United States and Mexico.

Flores was among the Hispanic-Serving Institution leaders invited to participate in a series of activities and events. The focus of the discussions emphasized the importance of collaboration for academic exchanges and student mobility between the U.S. and Mexico.

The visit comes after the signing of an MOU with the U.S. Department of State in Oct. 2022. The MOU noted HACU’s support of the U.S. Embassy in Mexico educational and cultural programs and initiatives and facilitate interactions between the 554 HACU-member institutions and Mexican colleges and universities.

HACU will also promote the development of student mobility programs and reciprocal academic exchanges and support collaborative interactions between the public and private sector to implement innovative educational projects that will impact millions of students in the United States and Mexico.

HACU, Ford Driving Dreams Academic Scholarship

HACU is partnering with Ford to award scholarships to eligible undergraduate and graduate students at HACU-member institutions. A total of thirteen ($5,000) Ford Driving Dreams Academic Scholarships will be awarded. STEM majors who meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply by May 1, 2023.

The Ford Driving Dreams Academic Scholarship is part of fall 2023 opportunities available through the HACU Scholarship Program. Apply at hacu.net.

• Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans (Title V, Part B): $27.3 million, which is a 38.9% or $7.64 million increase from FY22.

• National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) USDAEducation Grants for HSIs: $16 million, which is a 14.3% or $2 million increase from FY22.

• National Science Foundation-HSI Program: $53.5 million, which is a 10.3% or $5 million increase from FY22.

The appropriations package also increases the maximum Pell Grant by $500 and includes $50 million for a new HBCU, TCU, and MSI Research and Development Infrastructure Grants program.

HACU, Ford Motor Company Fund partner to offer Ford Economic Mobility Grants

HACU and the Ford Motor Company Fund have partnered to offer Ford Economic Mobility Grants for college students needing emergency relief. A limited number of ($500) grants are available for one-time relief assistance. Students from HACU-member Hispanic-Serving Institutions who demonstrate needs in certain categories are eligible to apply.

To apply, students must complete an online application and write an essay in 250 words or less, responding to the following topic: Explain how you are showing resilience and strength in the face of crisis. Include the reason funds are needed and how you plan to utilize them to meet your selected needs.

The Ford Economic Mobility Grants are for the fall 2023 session. The application deadline is May 1. Apply at hacu.net.

HACU accepting college student applications for the Exito:

CIA Career Exploration Boot-Camp

HACU to host an International Symposium and Executive Leadership Seminar in Guadalajara, México, June 19-23, 2023

HACU and the Central Intelligence Agency are accepting applications for the Exito: CIA Career Exploration Boot-Camp, a three-day career exploration event for college freshmen and sophomores to be held May 30-June 02, 2023, in Washington, D.C. The three-day program is designed to help students learn about pursuing a career with the CIA. Students will visit the CIA and meet with Agency professionals. Workshops and networking activities will help to provide information about agency job opportunities, culture, and expectations. Students are also encouraged to apply for CIA internships.

Up to 30 college freshmen from HACU-member institutions will be selected to participate. Students will receive travel, lodging and meals for the duration of the event.

Student selected to participate in the bootcamp will receive three nights lodging and round-tip airfare to Washington, D.C. May 30 -June 2.

Online applications will be accepted through March 31, 2023. Students will be notified of acceptance by April 22.

Request for commencement news and student success articles

Commencement News

The summer issue will include a special section on commencement ceremonies. Send your news releases and photos to news@hacu.net.

Grant stories

The focus of student success articles should be on how grant funding has made a difference in programs offered for students on your campus. Approximately 500-word count. Please include byline or any photo credit (if any). Otherwise submission are noted as courtesy of the institution.

Example articles of HSI grants are those received from:

• U.S. Department of Agriculture funding

• U.S. Department of Education, Title III-Part F

• U.S. Department of Education, Title V

• National Science Foundation

For all submissions, please include college/university logo and 2-3 high resolution photos (300 dpi). Articles selected for publication will be published in AP style. For samples of previous grant success stories, visit http://bit.ly/2020TitleVSuccess

The submission deadline for the Summer 2022 Issue is May 27.

HACU will be hosting two events in Guadalajara, México: an International Symposium on June 22-23, and a pre-conference Executive Leadership Seminar, June 19-23, 2023, at the Hotel RIU Plaza Guadalajara.

The HACU International Symposium, “Transforming the U.S. –Mexico/Latin America Collaborative Landscape,” will showcase current issues and trends related to international education. Prior to the Symposium, an Executive Leadership Seminar on international higher education will be held June 19-22.

Included in the Executive Leadership Seminar are visits to the campuses of the Universidad de Guadalajara and the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara.

“We are looking forward to once again hosting our in-person international conference and events,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores. “These international convenings are essential to engaging our members with collaborative opportunities abroad. It also is an invaluable opportunity for students to have an international educational experience as part of their higher education.”

A dedicated Student Track component will also be held June 19-23 and will give students the opportunity to learn about study abroad opportunities and the benefits of an international education.

Information on registration and hotel is available online at www. hacu.net.

HACU will also be hosting its biennial International Conference in Salamanca, Spain, June 3-5, 2024.

HACU National Internship Program welcomes spring interns

HACU National Internship Program fall interns complete

fall session

HACU held a hybrid orientation on Jan. 6. for college students selected for spring 2023 internships. Over 120 students from across the nation were accepted to HACU’s National Internship Program. Students will work remotely with federal agencies over a 15-week internship session.

The following is a list of the participating agencies:

• Small Business Administration (SBA)

• Library of Congress (LOC)

• Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM)

• U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

• National Institute of Health (NIH)

• U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI)

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)

• U.S. Department of the Treasury (DOTr)

• Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC)

• Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

• Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

• U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

HACU bid farewell to its 2022 fall interns with a virtual ceremony on Dec. 15, 2022. The participants were undergraduate and graduate students who served internships with federal agencies across the country, as part of the HACU National Internship Program.

HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores gave the welcome and congratulated the interns, followed by HNIP staff who gave some remarks about the internship program. HNIP alumna Sylvia Staples, national resource assistants program manager for the Washington Office of the USDA Forest Service, spoke about her internship experience.

Over 100 students participated in these internships for a total of 15 weeks, as part of HACU’s National Internship Program.

HACU National Internship Program accepting applications

The HACU National Internship Program is accepting applications from undergraduate and graduate students for the summer session (June 5-August. 12, 2023) though March 31. Application will be accepted for the fall session (Sept. 4-Dec. 16) through July 7. Visit hacu.net/hnip to apply.

The

LA ACADEMIA DE LIDERAZGO NEWS

Andrés Acebo named interim president of New Jersey City University

Andrés Acebo was appointed as the new Interim President of the university, effective January 17, 2023. He is only the second Hispanic to serve as the leader of a four-year public institution in the state of New Jersey. He currently serves as a deputy regional president of the Hispanic National Bar Association and chair of the Special Committee on Cuba. He also serves on the board of the Cuban American Alliance for Leadership and Education— a nonprofit board that serves first-generation students in the NJCU community. Acebo was a fellow in third cohort of HACU’s Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo.

Welcome New Members

As of 2/23/23

Hispanic-Serving Institutions

Amarillo College (TX)

Contra Costa College (Calif.)

University of Bridgeport (Conn.)

Associate Member Institution

Chaminade University of Honolulu (HI)

Gateway Technical College (Wis.)

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (Ind.)

Johnson & Wales University-Providence (R.I.)

University of North Carolina Wilmington (N.C.)

Partner Institution

Louisiana Christian University (La.)

Norwich University (Vt.)

Shenandoah University (Va.)

The University of the South (Tenn.)

Western Kentucky University (Ky.)

Hispanic-Serving School District

Central Unified School District (Calif.)

North Mason School District (Wash.)

Student Affiliates

Erick Alcala, The University of Texas at San Antonio (TX)

Isabella Alva, University of North Texas (TX)

Jesus Alvarez, Heritage University (Wash.)

K.C. Anjuli, Caldwell University (N.J.)

Leonel Avalos, California State University, Bakersfield (Calif.)

Diana Barrera, Texas A&M International University (TX)

Yazzkhara Bity Martinez, Community College of Aurora (Colo.)

Samuel Bonilla, Loyola Marymount University (Calif.)

Cierra Cadena, Trinity University (TX)

Jennifer Cazarez, California State University, Bakersfield (Calif.)

Carlos Colmena, New Jersey City University (N.J.)

Kayla Cortes, University of the Incarnate Word (TX)

Jeffrey Davila, Northeast Lakeview College (TX)

Rita Escalante, Western New Mexico University (N.M.)

Liliana Espinoza Servin, University of California, Santa Barbara (Calif.)

Sara Mata appointed executive director of Hispanic-Serving Initiatives at WSU

Sara Mata was appointed as the executive director of Hispanic-Serving Initiatives in Academic Affairs at Wichita State University. In the role, she will develop and implement strategies to support WSU’s initiative of being a Hispanic-Serving Institution by collaborating with campus and community partners and other institutions. Mata is a fellow in the fourth cohort of HACU’s Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo.

Student Affiliates (continued)

Emily Gaither, San Antonio College (TX)

Mariana Garcia, The University of Texas at El Paso (TX)

Jorge Gonzalez, Laredo Community College (TX)

Sandra Gonzalez, Montclair State University (N.J.)

Frank Granda, University of California, Irvine (Calif.)

Fiona Hernandez, University at Albany, SUNY (N.Y.)

Cristal Hernandez, Southwestern Oklahoma State University (Okla.)

Isabella Luna, University of the Incarnate Word (TX)

Samantha MacPherson, Montclair State University (N.J.)

Natalie Martinez, Florida International University (Fla.)

Julie Martinez, Laredo Community College (TX)

Jeannette Mayo Gallegos, San Diego City College (Calif.)

Yulissa Navarro, University of California, Riverside (Calif.)

Mary Naw, The University of Texas at San Antonio (TX)

Kudret Ozkaya, New Jersey City University (N.J.)

Mariana Pasillas, Palo Alto College (TX)

Tamara Pena, Southwestern University (TX)

Nickole Penaloza-Barros, Queensborough Community College, CUNY (N.Y.)

Jacob Pike, University of the Incarnate Word (TX)

Rebeca Portillo Parra, Western New Mexico University (N.M.)

Elvyra Puteri, Cypress College (Calif.)

Katelyn Quintero, Boise State University (ID)

Valeria Rivera, Laredo Community College (TX)

Gabriel Rondon Gonzalez, Florida International University (Fla.)

Divanhy Salazar, The University of Texas at San Antonio (TX)

America Sanchez, Concordia University Chicago (Ill.)

Lizette Santos, Heritage University (Wash.)

Rene Servin, The University of Texas at El Paso (TX)

Daniel Silverio, Dalton State College (Ga.)

Jenny Simbaina, Essex County College (N.J.)

Raul Soto Alabarce, University of Houston-Downtown (TX)

Genesis St-Onge, The University of Arizona (Ariz.)

Angela Vasquez, University of Houston-Downtown (TX)

Eduardo Vidals, New Jersey City University (N.J.)

Genesis Villarreal, University of the Incarnate Word (TX)

Educational Affiliate

Hispanics In Energy (Calif.)

California

University of La Verne joins national consortium to support inclusive STEM education

The University of La Verne has been awarded a six-year educational grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Inclusive Excellence 3 initiative. The HHMI grant will be used to support the university’s ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive and diverse community within the sciences, and to increase the number of underrepresented students pursuing careers in STEM related fields. The IE3 initiative is designed to support efforts by institutions to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in science curriculum to help retain undergraduate STEM students. The newly revised grant structure provides funding to institutions through a collaborative research model aimed to create a more inclusive culture within each institutions’ scientific communities.

UCLA receives $20 million to establish Goodman–Luskin Microbiome Center

A $20 million gift from Andrea and Donald Goodman and Renee and Meyer Luskin will fund a new center at the University of California, Los Angeles focused on the microbiome and its effect on health. Research at the center will focus on the microbiome’s role in disease prevention and the body’s immune response with the goal of developing new treatments for a range of conditions.

Florida

FIU awarded $6M to boost mental health support for children and youth in MiamiDade public schools

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Florida International University a $6 million grant to help improve access to mental health services for students in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. The five-year grant funded through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and the Fiscal Year 2022 omnibus appropriations bill will support the FIU/M-DCPS Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Fellowship. Project DIG aims to recruit, prepare and train over 100 highly qualified school-based mental health service providers, such as psychologists and social workers, to help students, particularly those from underserved communities.

New Jersey Kean University receives $4.5M Grant for Mental Health Program

Kean University received a $4.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education that will fund a program designed to increase diversity among school psychologists while proactively addressing student mental health in the Belleville School District. The Kean Department of Advanced Psychology is placing students in internships and externships to help develop the BeWell Mental Health Initiative in Belleville’s schools. The BeWell Mental Health Initiative is funded by a 5-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Texas

Dallas College receives $1 million from two federal grants to support its teacher residency apprenticeship program

Dallas College School of Education received $1 million in federal funding for its innovative teacher residency apprenticeship program. Dallas College announced the program after it received Department of Labor approval for what is Texas’ first registered teaching apprenticeship. The program is designed to help solve teacher shortages by building a steady pipeline of well-trained teachers.

St. Edward’s University receives grant from Bank of America to support first-generation college students

St. Edward’s University received a $120,000 grant from Bank of America to support low-income students from underrepresented backgrounds and enhance educational opportunities for all students. St. Edward’s will leverage Bank of America’s funding to provide economic mobility and workforce development support to build pathways for low-income students, students of color, first-generation college students, Pell-eligible students, College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) participants, and The Bill Munday School of Business scholars.

HACU in Washington, D.C. for Department of Homeland Security HSIs Roundtable, Department of Transportation meeting

HACU hosted a Roundtable on February 23, 2023, at its Washington, D.C. office. The Roundtable brought together higher education leaders and officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to discuss Department priorities as they relate to Hispanic-Serving Institutions.

HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores, HSI presidents/ chancellors, an emerging HSI president, senior leadership, and government relations staff were among those present at the roundtable discussion led by the Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. Presidents and CEOs in attendance had an opportunity to discuss strategies to create a pipeline for students interested in careers in homeland security and cybersecurity among other topics salient to the department.

“We are grateful to Secretary Mayorkas for meeting with our HSI presidents and chancellors to discuss issues of importance to their institutions,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores. “We hope the meeting today is one of many that will allow HispanicServing Institutions to share their voices and have a seat at the table on policy issues that impact their institutions.”

“We look forward to working with the Administration on advancing opportunities for the 5.1 million HSI students our institutions educate and serve,” added Flores.

HACU also met with Deputy Assistant Secretary Charles Small for Intergovernmental Affairs of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Deputy Assistant Secretary Small serves as the primary liaison for state, county and local elected officials leading outreach and engagement strategy with non-federal stakeholders.

DOT is in the process of implementing the Justice40 Initiative created by Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. Justice40 is an all of government approach that sets a goal of 40% of the benefits of certain federal investments flowing to disadvantaged communities. It is one of many initiatives US DOT is implementing to advance equity.

Through Justice40, DOT will work to increase affordable transportation options that connect Americans to good-paying jobs, fight climate change, and improve access to resources and quality of life in communities in every state and territory in the country.

Participants at the roundtable were institutions from Arizona, California, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and Texas designated as HSIs, an *emerging HSI, and Luke Visconti chair of HACU’s Corporate and Philanthropic Council.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Charles Small for Intergovernmental Affairs of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Institutions:

California State University, Monterey Bay

Vanya Quiñones, Ph.D., President

Chabot-Las Positas Community College District

Ronald P. Gerhard, Chancellor

Chandler-Gilbert Community College

Greg Peterson, Ed.D., President

Harold Washington College,

Daniel López, Jr., Ph.D., President

Houston Community College

Cesar Maldonado, Ph.D., Chancellor

Hudson County Community College

Christopher M. Reber, Ph.D. President

Kean University

Lamont Repollet, Ed.D. President

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Stephen G. Wells, Ph.D., President

Phoenix College

Kimberly Britt, Ph.D., President

Pima Community College

Lee D. Lambert, J.D. Chancellor

Saint Peter’s University

Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., President

San Diego State University

Adela de la Torre, Ph.D., President

St. Augustine College

Reyes González, Ph.D., President

*University at Albany, SUNY

Havidán Rodríguez, Ph.D., President

University of California, Irvine

Howard Gillman, Ph.D., Chancellor

University of California, Merced

Juan Sánchez Muñoz, Ph.D., Chancellor

Dr. Flores and Secretary Mayorkas

Multimillion-dollar grants provide undergraduate research opportunities to underserved students in STEM

Ashley Gebb, Chico State

When Gloria Sanchez heard about the Chico STEM Connections Collaborative (CSC²) and the opportunity to do research as an undergraduate at Chico State, she leapt at the chance. She’s now three semesters from earning her degree and plans to work in software development for robotics after graduation—tenaciously doing those “big things” her mother envisioned for her and fulfilling a dream for them bothaCSC2’s origins date back to 1985, when the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Construction Management started the MESA Engineering Program (MEP) to provide academic and support services to students from historically underserved populations. After successfully helping thousands of students, then-Director Paul Villegas had a vision to expand to the other STEM-related colleges: Agriculture and Natural Sciences.

He applied for and was awarded a $4.3 million Title III HispanicServing Institution (HSI) grant to grow the program. With a vision to see California’s STEM workforce reflect the diversity of the state’s population, CSC² was born

As the original grant funds began to run out, Villegas and MEP/ CSC² Director Lupe Jimenez (Social Science, ’96; MPA, ’99) began pursuing additional funding to continue STEM-related research opportunities. In 2021, the University received two additional HSI grants totaling more than $7.5 million to continue the program for another five years.

These funds are investments in Chico State students, their research, and their futures, Villegas said, adding that their most robust and in-depth educational opportunities come when they pair up with faculty for undergraduate research.

Access to such opportunities is how Rigoberto Vazquez (Mechanical Engineering, ’19) harnessed a lifelong interest in math and science. As an undergraduate student, he had the opportunity to conduct research with Ozgul Yasar, assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing. Together, they worked to design and engineer scaffolds to grow tissues for organ transplantation.

CSC² also collaborated with other CSUs to track outcomes and provide data for one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive evaluations of best practices. Our outcomes inevitably will play a crucial role in creating systemic change for improving the student success of program participants from Latinx and underserved backgrounds.

The metrics already prove it. Since CSC² began, the Latinx STEM graduation rate increased by 79% and the gap between all STEM graduates and Latinx STEM graduates decreased by 65%. The gains for Latinx STEM transfer students were even more substantial.

“Without this program, I would not be graduating. This program is the reason I’m still here,” said Marifer Martinez, a senior majoring in animal science. “The advisors, the tutors, the faculty help, they are like family.”

As someone who is first-generation, low-income, and Hispanic, when she heard about the stipends CSC² students receive to conduct summer research, “I was like, ‘Yes, sign me up. This is a chance and I’m taking it.’”

The full story can be found at Chico State Today

NSCC’s CentroHub builds feeling of belonging while offering convenient services to students

Courtesy of Noth Shore Community College

What began as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic has grown into the most widely used bilingual online resource for students at North Shore Community College in Danvers and Lynn Massachusetts.

NSCC, a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), created CentroHub from funds from the HEERF HSI Institutional grant to provide live face-to-face videoconferencing services through Zoom in December of 2021 when all classes and services had to shift to online. The name CentroHub was a nod to the College’s growing Hispanic population, which now numbers approximately 32% of the student body.

CentroHub offers access to all the resources NSCC students need to enroll at the College. The Zoom room has a virtual concierge experience that is available to serve students Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. One-stop services include:

• Admissions

• Enrollment

• Records

• Student Financial Services (Financial Aid/Student Accounts)

• Advising

Students can also obtain help or referrals to other college services. When students access the “Hub” they have the option for bilingual services (Spanish/English) and they receive warm handoffs between the different areas of expertise that occupy the space. This creates a smooth and convenient experience for students. The goal from the start was to offer services that were inviting, centralized and easy to access from work, home or any other place that is convenient for our students.

To date, CentroHub has received 8,300 requests for help since its creation in December of 2021. The Hub features breakout rooms where individual staff members are ready to work with students and guide them through the College’s onboarding and enrollment processes. When needed, the staff members bring in different team members to serve the students, rather than the more traditional model where the student would be forced to seek out another office and explain their reason for their visit. Once a student is in the “Hub” they are served in a seamless, collaborative manner.

Fernanda Alvarez, student affairs officer, has been a Hub Host since the very beginning. “Students LOVE the Hub. It is a friendly environment that is reliable and easier for them to use. I love being able to help them, it’s very rewarding.”

Luis Cruz, student affairs officer, is also a Hub host. “I serve as a virtual front desk host. I triage the student requests as they come in and connect them to the appropriate person who can help them. I’m a people person so I really enjoy making the process as smooth and easy as possible for our students.”

“Centro Hub makes it super easy for students to get what they need. They can wake up in the morning in their pajamas and call in or call while they are driving. Students really appreciate the convenience,” Cruz added.

Sabrina Gomez Martull, also a student affairs officer, noted that it is particularly fulfilling to assist Spanish speaking students who wish to take English as a Second Language (ESL) courses. “It is easy for Spanish speakers to be lost and get frustrated. It feels great to point them in the right direction.”

NSCC used a portion of their Federal HSI grant funding to pay for their part-time, bilingual CentroHub hosts.

from the Department of Education for its Title V initiative

UIW

The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) used $2.9 million from Title V funds through the Department of Education to form the FLIGHT program to improve student success through enhanced recruitment, retention, and career paths for primarily Hispanic students. FLIGHT stands for Financial Literacy, Integrated Guidance, and Health career Tracts. What it stands to accomplish is immeasurable, and the university is already seeing what that realization looks like.

Currently, UIW has 73 certified mentors that students can connect to. These mentors go through training that mirrors the student journey in many ways. For this, each FLIGHT-certified mentor participates in learning pathways to guide them through what students are likely to experience when they interact with our learning support center, residence life, counseling, health services, and more. FLIGHT aims to strengthen a sense of belonging, and knowledge of on-campus resources for students to make asking for help desirable.

“The certified FLIGHT mentors share and build best practices to create mentor moments for our Hispanic students, both in and outside of the classroom,” notes Title V UIW FLIGHT Project Director, Sandra McMakin. “While many of our mentors have reported that they always knew the topics that are covered in the certification process, such as financial literacy and career planning, were important to student success, they didn’t know how to integrate them into the curriculum or how to have those mentor conversations with students. Based on feedback from the first year of this five-year grant, we know we are building a program that will build UIW’s capacity to help guide our students through UIW and beyond to achieve their professional goals.”

UIW’s certified FLIGHT mentors are split between 46 faculty members, and 29 staff, with an expected target of over 50 peer mentors to be certified for the Fall of 2023. With the inclusion of administration and staff, UIW gets to respect that the foundation for mentorship is ultimately the relationship between mentor and mentee, not just teacher and student. To that end, one of FLIGHT’s goals is to focus on competency as much as character. UIW is not only interested in administering student access to their available network of resources with an approachable manner, but also in keeping different personalities connected to students to better unlock their underlying passions.

Critically, 50 sections of the FLIGHT program are going towards First Year Experience courses taught by FLIGHT certified faculty. A big part of developing mentorship infrastructure is getting a head start on Hispanic student success by having faculty qualified to address all forms of student needs. First impressions are essential to ensuring students never have the urge to abandon the safe space FLIGHT administrators have carefully curated.

While fostering relationships with mentors and resources is key, FLIGHT aims to create transparency about long-term student challenges, and ultimately, trust. In partnership with iGrad, First Year Engagement courses help develop early awareness of financial well-being for Hispanic students. Not only does this give UIW students multiple ways to develop financial literacy, but they now have a clear path towards becoming familiar with verified scholarships and early identification of interlinking skills for potential careers.

Courtesy of University of the Incarnate Word

receives $2.9 million

Marymount University receives over $2 million from Department of Education to support retention

Marymount University received a grant award from the U.S. Department of Education’s Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP), providing over $2 million in grant support over a five-year period to enhance the institution’s student academic support infrastructure. This funding allows for the implementation of new High Impact Practices (HIP) aimed at improving student learning, retention and the University’s four-year graduation rate.

SIP is only open to higher education institutions with enrollments that include a large proportion of underrepresented student groups, such as minority or low-income populations. Marymount’s eligibility results from its status as Virginia’s first and only Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI).

“The entire focus of this project is to build a strong and impactful academic infrastructure to assure all Marymount undergraduate students are successful and flourish in their academic journey,” explained Dr. Hesham El-Rewini, Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs at Marymount University. “I am proud of the hard work and dedication shown by our team of Alison Gregory, Dr. Michelle Steiner, Dr. Joseph Provenzano and Dr. Rita Wong on this important initiative.”

With the title of “Early Success Program (ESP): Increasing Student Retention from First to Third Year,” this project will be overseen by Dr. Steiner, Marymount University’s assistant vice president for student success and director of the institution’s Student Academic Hub.

The $2.02 million in funding allocated over the next five years will be utilized through the hiring of additional academic advisors, Supplemental Instruction Leaders, subject tutors, writing consultants, peer mentors, a student success navigator/coach and a teaching coach who will work with Dr. Provenzano, Director of Instructional Design at Marymount, to support retention-driven classroom strategies and experiences. A tutoring coordinator will also train, deploy and supervise peer-to-peer learning personnel in courses with higher-than-average DFW (drop, fail, withdraw) rates.

Other measures include a summer bridge program which seeks to bridge the gap between high school preparation and college-level coursework. Funding will also go towards the usage of advanced analytic software that will improve the institution’s ability to receive early detection about students who are at risk of not persisting in college, allowing the University to intervene earlier and with more targeted intention.

“At Marymount, we are driven by our mission inspired by our Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary founders to accept students from a wide range of backgrounds and educational experiences. Because of this, there are cases when some students arrive on campus and are underprepared for college-level work,” Dr. Steiner said. “But our Early Success Program has the singular goal of increasing retention of first-year students through to their third year of collegiate studies. By providing students with wrap-around support – faculty, staff and peers who will train and learn together to deliver retention-focused activities – we will realize this goal.”

Marymount’s current undergraduate retention rate for first-time freshmen is 74.6 percent. With this Department of Education grant award funding, the University aims to increase first to second-year overall retention to 82 percent, increase first and second-year retention for first-year students with high school GPA’s less than 3.0 to 73 percent, and increase second to thirdyear retention to 88 percent.