National Hispanic Heritage Month and Hispanic Serving Institution Week converge | California State University Monterey Bay – CSUMB

By Walter Ryce

September 15 marks the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs through Oct. 15 (Sept. 15 is also independence day for several Central American countries). This week also commemorates Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Week, which the White House recognized with a proclamation on Sept. 13.

Jacinto M. Salazar III is CSUMBs transfer student success coordinator.

During both HSI Week and Hispanic Heritage Month, it is important for the campus community to learn about the student population that makes the HSI designation possible, Salazar said.

CSUMB, which has been an HSI since 1998, has a number of programs underway to celebrate and elucidate HSI Week.

The federal government defines an HSI as not-for-profit, degree granting colleges and universities that enroll at least 25% Latinx students, Salazar said. Once we move beyond the official definition, there is a great variety of interpretations as to what constitutes an HSI.

That could take into account equitable retention and graduation rates, or culturally relevant curriculum and campus life.

As an HSI, CSUMB has received millions of dollars for staffing, faculty and student services to support all students intentionally and comprehensively, he said.

Some highlights of CSUMBs history as an HSI include:

In addition to structural support, the HSI designation also brings an affirming message, according to Maria Joaquina Villaseor, a professor of Chicanx-Latinx Studies in the School of Humanities and Communication.

HSIs offer Latinx young people a valuable combination of opportunity, access, community and belonging, Villaseor said. Opportunity and access without a sense of community and belonging, can be alienating and can hinder not only academic success, but more importantly, well being. HSIs are intentional about the way they serve Latinx students. They name their commitment to those students, and maintain the conditions within which Latinx students can thrive.

Salazar said that staff, faculty and administrators often work behind the scenes to support Latinx students and improve academic outcomes.

Latinx students and the communities they come from, especially in the tri-county area, he said, play a critical role in the success of the university, our local area, and the country.

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National Hispanic Heritage Month and Hispanic Serving Institution Week converge | California State University Monterey Bay - CSUMB