Lessons Learned from HACU 2023: A Reflection from UNC Attendees
The 2023 Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) conference provided a dynamic platform for attendees from the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) to share, learn, and reflect on their journey towards becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). From collaborative efforts and community support to holistic retention strategies and innovative programs, the lessons learned were both inspiring and impactful.
Have a closer look at the key themes and insights shared by UNC representatives.
Leading with Collective Cultural Wealth:
Cristóbal (Chris) Garcia, Staff Fellow for HSI Initiatives at UNC, highlighted the significance of collaboration in the session, "All in: Building Statewide HSI Consortiums and Alliances." The key takeaway was the importance of collaboration on a statewide level, emphasizing efforts that address both statewide needs and those specific to individual institutions.
"The major take-away was the importance of collaboration and developing efforts around servingness that both speak to a statewide effort and one that met student needs specifically. Actively displaying that collectively, we can lean on the work of our colleagues to develop stronger relationships and unique pathways toward success." - Chris Garcia
Chris's favorite session focused on the ‘?Adelante! Latinx Leadership Program’, showcasing the impact of community support, peer mentorship, and leadership programs for Latinx students. The program's emphasis on co-developing academic plans with peer mentors was particularly noteworthy and a great example of Dr. Tara Yosso's framework and theory of Collective Cultural Wealth, which examines the six forms of cultural capital in which students of color experience college.
"A huge insight was that professional advisors and program coordinators expected the peer mentors to highlight their experiences and college pathways to help current participants of the program to learn from their efforts and develop their own trajectories. Co-developing their academic plans to both highlight their own decision-making as part of the process and working with peer mentors (fellow student colleagues) to remain accountable." - Chris Garcia
A Holistic Approach to Retention and Training:
Teresa Castro, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations at UNC, reflecting on the importance of retention, stressed the need for a holistic, seamless transfer pathway for students. This includes individualized advising, academic opportunities, and a culturally responsive environment.
"Retention should be more than just a number; it should be tied to intentional efforts that help students build on their sense of belonging. In furthering one’s education (by getting trained), they can better support the students who should be the priority." - Teresa Castro
Teresa further emphasized the importance of training faculty and staff on various aspects such as implicit bias, anti-Blackness, microaggressions, social justice, and cultural competence.
Fostering Relationships with Families of Underserved Students:
Gizeh Martinez, Academic Advisor in the Center for Human Enrichment (TRiO Student Support Services), also highlighted the importance of fostering relationships with families during orientation. She found a great sense of relief in realizing that many of UNC's initiatives aligned with those presented.
"Out of the various workshops I attended, the one that resonated with me the most had to do with fostering relationships with families during orientation to establish that support from the institution and the family. I was interested in this topic because it felt close to home; especially considering the populations we are working with; the family dynamic plays a huge role in the education of both first-generation and Latinx-identifying students. It was very comforting to know that initiatives being implemented in other institutions currently exist in ours, even if on a smaller scale." - Gizeh Martinez
Advancing Efforts for Intersectional Student Populations:
LaChaune DuHart-Wood, Director of Veteran Services at UNC, shared her commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion at an emerging HSI. This includes developing advising programs for student veterans tailored to the needs of the Black and Latinx-identifying students she serves. These would also include culturally responsive teaching methods, accessible faculty support, and programs that validate diverse cultural wealth and experiences.
领英推荐
"Being a Black queer veteran who is currently working on a Ph.D. in social work, I understand firsthand the challenges many of our students face in pursuing higher education. Our data shows gaps in post-graduate success for Students of Color (African American or Black, Hispanic/Latinx, Asian American, Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Multiracial, Biracial, etc.) compared to their white peers. We can expand access and improve outcomes by proactively and intentionally including student voices in the process and developing resources and academic supports that aid in their success and guide them to on-time graduation." - LaChaune DuHart-Wood
Inspiration to Continue Storytelling:
Jorge Jaquez-Marquez, in his first HACU experience, expressed the inspiration derived from the diverse backgrounds of professionals and leaders in attendance. He emphasized the importance of UNC's unique thinking in having a marketing and creative specialist in the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to advance DEI storytelling.
"I could not help but feel that this experience validated the uniqueness of my position at UNC. The HACU conference opened doors to valuable insights on how to advance UNC's journey toward becoming an HSI and better supporting students from marginalized backgrounds." - Jorge Jaquez-Marquez
Finding New Ways to Support Undocumented Students:
Rodolfo Vargas highlighted the importance of fellowship opportunities for undocumented students interested in gaining experience in the world of work.
"Fellowships have recently become a wonderful way to support undocumented college students as they provide financial support via stipends while enhancing the students' professional skills. As we think of our own undocumented students, these fellowships will serve as retention tools while enhancing the students’ academic and professional expertise." - Rodolfo Vargas
Conclusion:
The HACU 2023 conference provided UNC faculty and staff with invaluable insights, affirmations of existing successful initiatives, and inspiration for further progress. From collaborative efforts to innovative programs and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, UNC is poised to continue its journey towards HSI designation with a renewed sense of purpose.
?Vamos Osos! Get Involved:
The journey towards HSI designation is a collective effort, and with continued collaboration and dedication, UNC aims to lead the way in serving Hispanic and Latinx-identifying students.
About the author:
Cristóbal (Chris) Garcia is a first-generation college graduate, holding a master's degree in business from Colorado State University. Currently, Chris serves as UNC's Associate Director of Alumni Relations and Staff Fellow for Hispanic Serving Institution initiatives and is an active member of Colorado's statewide HSI Consortium. He was recently recognized as a Notable Minority Leader in Northern Colorado by BizWest magazine for his advocacy. Chris regularly authors articles covering topics such as leadership, career development, higher education, and Hispanic/Latinx culture.