Description
To become is a process of transforming into something different than what you currently are; it suggests growth, change, and evolution toward a new state of being. To become an HSI is to evolve from a predominantly white-enrolling college or university to a Latine-enrolling campus that is eligible for capacity-building federal grants. But enrolling a significant number of Latine students and getting grants does not make a campus Latine-serving, and it certainly does not ensure thriving. This keynote is intended for all HSIs–historical, emerging, striving, aspiring, multi-designated, and multi-granted. Drawing from her book Becoming Hispanic Serving Institutions: Opportunities for Colleges and Universities, Dr. Garcia describes the different “HSI identity types” and provides evidence of how HSIs fit within these categories. She also discusses the urgency to simultaneously address the image and organizational culture, and describes systemic practices and policies that acknowledge the unique identities and community cultural wealth of Latine students. This keynote challenges the audience to think about how becoming an HSI is a unique process for every college and university, and is a good choice for new audiences or first time campus visits