嘿嘿视频

嘿嘿视频 Achieves HSI Eligibility, Serving More Than 8,000 Latinx Students

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Luis Carvajal-Carmona and three students at a booth at the Graduate and Law School Fair on the Quad.
Three undergraduates in "Becoming a Latino Scientist," from the left Kaitlyn Menjivar-Esquivel, Itzel Gonzalez and Peyton Apruzzese, learn about opportunities at the Graduate and Law School Fair on the Quad Oct. 23 for an assignment given by instructor Luis Carvajal-Carmona, (center), a professor of biochemistry and molecular medicine who oversees campuswide Avanza HSI initiatives as associate vice chancellor for academic diversity in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. They are talking with Brad Pollock, in the booth, chair of the Department of Public Health Sciences in the School of Medicine. (Gregory Urquiaga/嘿嘿视频)

 

Editor's note: A spokesperson is available for Zoom or phone interviews in English or Spanish on Monday, Oct. 28, or Tuesday, Oct. 29.

The University of California, Davis, is now eligible to be one of the nation鈥檚 few research-intensive universities designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, or HSI, after fall enrollment numbers crossed the threshold for HSI status for the first time.

Latinx enrollment at 嘿嘿视频 has reached a new peak of about 8,100 students or 25.1% of undergraduate full-time-equivalent students, which surpasses the U.S. Department of Education鈥檚 criteria of at least 25% for HSIs. This fall鈥檚 25.1% was up from 24.6% last year.

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. 

鈥淚鈥檓 grateful to all the members of the 嘿嘿视频 community who worked for nearly a decade to reach this milestone,鈥 said Chancellor Gary S. May. 鈥淎chieving eligibility for HSI designation shows that 嘿嘿视频 is fulfilling its mission to serve the state, the nation and the world. We鈥檙e empowering more young people from underserved communities and closing the gap on socioeconomic disparities in access to higher education, particularly research universities.鈥

In each of the past few years, 嘿嘿视频 has met HSI requirements related to serving low-income students and core expenses, and it is expected that the campus will seek to renew the status for those two criteria in January. With their anticipated renewal and this fall鈥檚 enrollment numbers, the next steps are to continue working on Latinx student success at all levels and seek federal funding to further support institutional transformation.

Two designations

The campus already secured the federal government鈥檚 status as a Minority Serving Institution in 2019 as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, or AANAPISI. Two designations position 嘿嘿视频 to pursue a broader range of funding opportunities that will further support student success and strengthen academic programs.

鈥淭his synergy provides opportunities to deepen our understanding of and better serve Asian, Pacific Islander and Latinx students,鈥 said Pablo Reguer铆n, vice chancellor for Student Affairs. 鈥淚t helps us build a more inclusive campus community and links together the success of all students.鈥

A vision for leading HSI STEMM

Luis Carvajal-Carmona, a professor of biochemistry and molecular medicine who oversees the campuswide Avanza HSI initiatives as associate vice chancellor for academic diversity in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, or DEI, has a special ambition for 嘿嘿视频. He wants 嘿嘿视频 to capitalize on its status as a Research I university 鈥 signifying a high level of research activity 鈥 to become the top HSI for science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medical sciences, or STEMM.

Instructor for the first-year seminar 鈥淏ecoming a Latino Scientist,鈥 he said he sees 嘿嘿视频 STEMM education and research experiences as paths to well-paying careers and social mobility for Latinx students.

Alumni 鈥榠ncredibly proud鈥

Neptaly 鈥淭aty鈥 Aguilera, a 1973 graduate of 嘿嘿视频, has championed Latinx opportunities, support and achievement as a leader of the 嘿嘿视频 alumni association, the campus鈥檚 Chicanx Latinx Alumni Association and the Hispanic Community Council, as well as in his current role as co-chair of the UC Chicanx Latinx Alumni Association.

鈥淔or 嘿嘿视频, reaching the HSI milestone will only further contribute to its prominence in the nation and world as a public institution of higher education,鈥 he said. 鈥淎s Chicano alumni, we are incredibly proud of this major achievement for 嘿嘿视频.鈥

Long an advocate for Latinx students and alumni of 嘿嘿视频, 1972 graduate Caroline Cabias has served with the Chicanx Latinx Alumni Association, the HSI Task Force, the HSI Community Council and the UC Chicanx Latinx Alumni Association. 鈥淭his is a public statement that we can look forward to more partnerships with our Hispanic stakeholders and community leaders,鈥 she said, 鈥渢o expand campus programs not only to sustain the enrollment but to increase it to better recognize the demographics of California.鈥

Joy and appreciation

Word about the HSI enrollment benchmark was met with joy and appreciation for those who helped lead the work including Enrollment Management, which includes Undergraduate Admissions; members of campus organizations and committees; Lina Mendez, the former director of HSI initiatives; Blas Guerrero, interim director of  HSI initiatives; and Raquel Aldana, a professor of law who, as the former associate vice chancellor for academic diversity, co-chaired the HSI Task Force.

The achievement also builds upon research by Marcela Cuellar, an associate professor of higher education leadership at 嘿嘿视频 who studies HSIs, emerging HSIs and Latinx student success.

鈥淚 extend sincere thanks to all who have been working toward this goal over many years,鈥 said Renetta Tull, vice chancellor for DEI. 鈥淭here are so many people and units across campus, alumni and members of the community who have put in time and effort to make this happen.鈥

Student success

Rodrigo Bonilla, director of the Chicanx Latinx Retention Initiative, said its work supports Latinx academic success through a culturally informed approach that centers student鈥檚 identities and experiences. Opened in 2017, the Center for Chicanx and Latinx Academic Student Success, also known as El Centro, offers on-site academic advising and tutoring, mental health support, professional development opportunities, academic seminars, community programs and more.

鈥淲e鈥檝e been able to engage in many innovative initiatives because we have institutional support,鈥 he said.

Lorena M谩rquez, chair of Chicana/o/x studies, said reaching the 25% enrollment mark does more than recognize the work of the academic department, El Centro, the Undocumented Student Resource Center and many others. 鈥淚t signals to future 嘿嘿视频 students that we are a friendly place where they can find community and foster lasting personal and professional relationships.鈥

Media Resources

Media contact:

Julia Ann Easley, News and Media Relations, jaeasley@ucdavis.edu, 530-219-4545

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