Courtesy photo.
CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) is one of the Hispanic-Serving Institutions across the nation that invested in “25 Years of Hispanic-Serving Institutions,” a research project conducted by Washington D.C.-based Excelencia in Education.
Excelencia—an institution dedicated to the advancement of Latinx students in higher education across the nation—is co-hosting a virtual event, “California Briefing on 25 Years of HSIs in Accelerating Latinx Student Success,” on Tuesday, March 2, at 10:30 a.m. In addition to CSU Channel Islands, partnering institutions include CSU Northridge, CSU Monterey Bay, CSU San Bernardino, Fresno State, the California State University system, California Community Colleges, and the University of California Merced.
The public is invited to register for the free presentation at: https://www.csun.edu/node/11001/california-briefing-25-years-hsis.
The research project was conducted with CSUCI and other institutions across the U.S. that are committed to finding the best ways to serve Latinx students in higher education. Findings are intended to help academic researchers, elected officials, foundations, and others shape their educational policy.
“Serving our Latinx students has always been a priority at CSUCI,” said Interim President Richard Yao, Ph.D., “though our focus has sharpened in this regard since we gained Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) status in 2010. Before 2010, less than 25% of our student body identified as Latinx. With this proportion having more than doubled since then, we are proud to say that Latinx students are no longer an under-represented population on our campus.”
Focused initiatives for better serving groups that have historically been underserved in higher education have been effective, says Yao, but they must continue to be researched and improved. “Gains made must be protected, particularly now as we build back toward in-person instruction following a pandemic that has disproportionally impacted communities of color,” he said. “Acknowledging and addressing that reality is now our urgent concern.”
“Good ideas and work need support,” said Sarita Brown, Excelencia’s President. “We thank Interim President Yao for making common cause with Excelencia and for their leadership and investment in this important research that informs the nation as we navigate current challenges and sets the course for the future. These are leaders who stepped up in these challenging times to actively address equity, with a Latino lens, for their institutions, students and our country.”
CSUCI has a history and strong working relationship with Excelencia, with CSUCI receiving one of only nine nationwide awards of the Seal of Excelencia in 2019. The Seal recognizes an institution’s high level of commitment and effort to serve Latinx students effectively.
Yao is affiliated with Excelencia’s Presidents for Latino Student Success, a network of leaders who are working to make their institutions learning environments where Latinx students—and all their students—succeed.
The year 2020 marked 25 years since Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) were first funded through specific federal legislation. Excelencia in Education has taken responsibility for chronicling the impact and changes of HSIs over the years.
The new research shows that California HSIs often enroll and graduate a consistently higher numbers of the Latinx students considered essential for an educated workforce and citizenry.
Along with documenting the seminal role HSIs have played in increasing Latinx college completion and the value of federal investment in these institutions, the new research informs the powerful engagement by leaders in higher education and policy sectors at a critical time in our country when record numbers of Latinx students should be enrolling in colleges and universities.
“Closing equity gaps in degree attainment requires investing in the institutions enrolling and graduating Latino students in California and across the country,” said Deborah Santiago, Excelencia’s CEO. “Learning what these institutions are doing to intentionally serve Latino students and accelerating their impact is critical at the state and federal levels.”
About California State University Channel Islands — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) is reimagining higher education for a new generation and era. We are an innovative higher education institution that enables students to succeed and thrive – serving as an engine for social and economic vitality that provides the intellectual resources necessary for a thriving democracy. With more than 7,000 students, 1,200 employees and 14,000 alumni, CSUCI is poised to grow in size and distinction, while maintaining one of the most student-focused learning environments in public higher education. Connect with and learn more by visiting www.csuci.edu or CSUCI’s Social Media.