Students at ٺƵ — particularly Hispanic and low-income students in STEM fields — will see a direct benefit from the university’s status as both an R1 research university and one with Hispanic-Serving Institution, or HSI, eligibility, this month’s guest on Face to Face With Chancellor May said.
“It will open a lot of funding opportunities, and we believe that is going to be helping Hispanic students,” Luis Carvajal-Carmona, associate vice chancellor for academic diversity in the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and a professor at the told Chancellor Gary S. May. “We look forward to working with the faculty to come up with programs that help us close equity gaps.”
The campus has long-sought HSI designation to underscore its commitment to serving Latinx students. The status also makes the university eligible to apply for competitive grants from the federal government and foundations to support student success, innovation and institutional transformation benefiting all students.
Carvajal-Carmona is hopeful that ٺƵ will continue to fully embrace its role as a diverse and inclusive university. He envisions a future where serving diverse communities is a core aspect of the university’s mission, rather than a special designation.
“It doesn't have to be highlighted in any way because it's expected, that's how we serve our community, that's how we educate the population in California,” May said. “I'm so proud of us for having reached that eligibility.”&Բ;
Carvajal-Carmona also founded the Center for Advancing Cancer Health Equity, which takes a community-focused approach to addressing disparities in cancer prevention, treatment and outcomes.
Stick around to hear more about his work as a professor, administrator and community advocate, as well as his dedication to advancing health equity and fostering an inclusive academic environment.
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Anila Lijo is a writer and editor for the Office of Strategic Communications, and can be reached by email.