This week, UC Santa Cruz joins colleges and universities across the country in celebrating National Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) week. National HSI week recognizes the 559 HSIs throughout the nation for their work and critical role in educating and empowering Hispanic youth. Through a series of campus programs, social media campaigns, and community efforts, HSIs will use this week to bring awareness to the important roles they have in improving access to education and advancing equity for traditionally underserved students.
Because this year’s National HSI week coincides with UCSC move-in, the UC Santa Cruz HSI Initiatives team partnered with the Chicanx Latinx Resource Center, better known as El Centro, to curate a series of in-person, virtual, and social media engagement opportunities for the campus community. These events (listed below) are intended to highlight what it means for UCSC to be an HSI and the many resources available to undergraduate and graduate students because of the HSI designation and affiliation.
UC Santa Cruz’s observance of National HSI weeks comes at a special time for the institution’s HSI initiatives. In June 2022 UC Santa Cruz joined 19 leading universities as founding members of the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities. In October 2021, UC Santa Cruz was also recognized as one of 35 Hispanic-Serving Institutions as a Fulbright HSI Leader because of noteworthy engagement with Fulbright exchange participants during the 2019–2021 academic years.
HSI Initiatives and El Centro provide a multitude of resources and services to UC Santa Cruz undergraduate and graduate students.
Undergraduate resources and support services include:
- GANAS Career Internship Program
- Summer Introduction to Undergraduate Research Program
- Pathways to Graduate School Courses
- Careers in the Creative Economy Course
- Supplemental Instruction SI
Graduate resources and support services include:
- Doctoral Summer Bridge Program and Summer Bridge Mentor Fellowship
- GANAS Graduate Services Counselor
- GANAS Graduate SIURP Mentor Fellowship
- VOCES Graduate Student Writing Center
- Latinx Initiative for Future Teachers (LIFT)
Since first becoming an HSI in Fall 2012, UCSC has achieved a number of milestones, including growing national recognition and five federal grants totalling over sixteen million dollars. The funding from these awards supports equity and social justice efforts across the university. To that end, the HSI Initiatives team has thus far collaborated with 44 departments to serve 11,677 students, 5,285 of whom were designated EOP and 4,116 of whom identified as Latinx.
If UCSC’s growth as an HSI over the past ten years is indicative of what’s yet to come, the university’s future as an HSI appears to be very bright.
HSI Week 2022: UCSC Events
Monday, September 12: HSI Trivia and Instagram Campaign Begins
Follow @ucsc.hsi on instagram, respond to trivia questions, and compete against fellow Banana Slugs all week long for the opportunity to win a $25 gift certificate to the UCSC Bay Tree Bookstore. Six winners will be announced on Sunday, September 18 via their instagram stories.
Tuesday, September 13: HSI Spirit Day
This is an open invitation to students, faculty, and staff to show your UCSC/HSI spirit by wearing your favorite UCSC gear and snapping a selfie or group photo. Send your picture to the HSI team via their instagram account (@ucsc.hsi) or via email (hispserv@ucsc.edu) to get featured.
Wednesday, September 14, 10 - 11:30 a.m.: Cafe Con Pan and HSI Video Launch
Faculty, staff, and students are invited to join the HSI Initiatives Team and El Centro staff from 10 - 11:30 a.m. in the HSI Modular Office (Trailer 2 next to the Upper East field) to mingle, celebrate the start of a new year, and view the launch of a new informational animated video about HSI. Coffee and pan dulce (sweet bread) will be served.
Thursday, September 15 at 6:00 p.m.: Undergraduate Student Connect via Instagram Live
Incoming first-year and transfer students are invited to join the HSI Initiatives team and El Centro staff for an Instagram Live! Connect with current students and bring questions about student life, campus resources, move-in tips, and more. Join via Instagram: @ucsc.hsi or @elcentro_ucsc
Friday, September 16 at 2:00 p.m.: Graduate Student Connect via Instagram Live
Graduate students are invited to join HSI Grad Student Counselor Angel Dominguez for a special Instagram Live question and answer session! Angel will help answer questions about graduate student life, HSI fellowship opportunities, resources, and more! Join via Instagram: @ucsc.hsi
