Latinx Thriving Institution Initiative Updates

Fall 2022

Latinx Thriving Institution Initiative Updates

September 14, 2022

Dear Campus Community,

Whether it’s your first time on campus, or you are returning again, Bienvenidxs a Berkeley - Welcome to Berkeley! It has been a very busy summer for the Latinx-Thriving Institution (LTI) Initiative team, and we are excited to share our collective progress with you, the Berkeley community. 

LTI Steering Committee

The LTI steering committee launched last spring and has been working throughout the summer to clarify, update and prioritize the Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Task Force recommendations in preparation for the launch of the implementation committee this fall. This work required the team to synthesize input from various stakeholders, actively participating in socialization efforts, and set actionable metrics and priorities for the ongoing implementation efforts. Thanks to our partners in the Office of Planning and Analysis (OPA) and Equity & Inclusion, we took a deeper dive into the data available to us to learn more about the actual federal HSI designation calculation to inform how we clarify and prioritize the task force recommendations. Our work will continue into the fall as we prepare to launch the Implementation Committee. More to come!

Fall Town Hall

The next Latinx Thriving Institution (LTI) Initiative Town Hall is scheduled for Wednesday, October 19 from 4:30 until 6 pm. The focus of our time together will be Latinx-centered research and examples of multi-generational models that connect scholarship to Latinx student success and well-being.Join us to learn more about the Latinx-focused research conducted by our Professoras Laura Perez and Lorena Oropeza as well as current Berkeley osxs. Register today for the town hall event! 

The Latinx Forum on Democracy, Migration, Health and Wellbeing 

The goal of the School of Social Welfare’s Annual Forum on Social Justice is to advance social justice in ways informed by and resulting in research, public policy, and practice that advance a more equitable democracy given the fundamental relationship between health and economic vitality for all members of society.

The inaugural forum will elevate Latinx scholarship on the UC Berkeley campus by featuring impactful scholars, related professionals, and colleagues, committed to lifting Latinx social positionality and wellbeing.

For more information and a full program please visit The Latinx Forum on Democracy, Migration, Health and Wellbeing webpage

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Conference

HACU will be hosting its 36th Annual Conference from October 8 to 10 in San Diego. Join us! The conference will focus on Championing Hispanic Higher Education Success: Rebuilding a More Resilient and Inclusive America. UC Berkeley will sponsor five students to attend the HACU conference along with Vice Chancellor Dania Matos and Associate Vice Chancellor and Interim Chief of Staff Fabrizio Mejia, who will be presenting to the HACU leadership academy fellows. Students - complete this online application and share with us why you want to participate in HACU and what you hope to gain from this experience. Staff supporting the LTI, CLSD and the Division of Equity & Inclusion immediate office will notify students selected for participation by September 23, 2022. 

National Latinas in Leadership Symposium 

On September 21, Vice Chancellor Dania Matos will be speaking at the 2022 National Latinas in Leadership Symposium, which is part of the 2022 Latino Leadership Conference hosted by the National Diversity Council. We are offering FREE virtual registration to all students who would like to attend this portion of the conference. RSVP by September 16 to be registered and receive the link to attend virtually. We will have a recording to share for those who cannot make it.

Centers for Educational Equity and Excellence Events

The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and the Transfer Student Center under Centers for Educational Equity and Excellence (CE3) are hosting gatherings  for our Latinx students over the Fall semester which include a workshop on belonging and student-led socials. Updates and more information here: transfers.berkeley.edu/osos

Latina Professionals - Leadership in Action

Felicidades to Lisa García Bedolla, vice provost for graduate studies and dean of the Graduate Division, and Dania Matos, vice chancellor for equity & inclusion as inaugural recipients of the Latina Professionals Leaders in Action Awards for their significant contributions towards being a leadership voice for all rising Latinas while personifying the spirit of the Latina Professionals mission and commitment to service. Both leaders were honored at the September 13, 2022 Latina Professionals Inaugural Event - Rise Up, Break Through "Latinas of Influence," a tailored session designed to equip, resource and empower and connect rising Latina leaders. Mil gracias y bienvenida a Marlene Castro, alumna de Berkeley, for moderating the event.

LTI Implementation and Transitions

Lastly, we would like to share with the community that LTI Implementation Manager, Silvia Marquez, will be transitioning from her roles at UC Berkeley to become the next Executive Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships at UC San Diego. We are grateful for the amazing work Silvia has done to bring us to this point and we wish her continued success. The Vice Chancellor for Equity & Inclusion will issue a campus call for nominations for leadership of the Latinx Thriving Initiative very soon.

You'll hear more about this and related efforts tomorrow, Thursday, September 15th, in our message celebrating Latinx Heritage Month.

Thank you for all of your support of our collective efforts and your continued engagement. 

In community,            

Dania Matos, JD (she/her/ella)

Vice Chancellor for Equity & Inclusion

Executive Sponsor and Co-Chair of the Latinx-Thriving Institution Initiative

Professor Kris Guitérrez (she/her/ella)
Co-chair of the HSI Task Force and of the Latinx-Thriving Institution Initiative

Spring 2022

Latinx Thriving Institution Initiative Updates

March 30, 2022

Dear Campus Community,

We’re excited to connect with you to share updates since our last message in November, upcoming events and to celebrate our distinguished staff and faculty. As always, thank you for your continued engagement and deep commitment to supporting the campus’ Latinx-Thriving Institution Initiative. 

April Town Hall - RSVP Today

The Spring 2022 Latinx Thriving Virtual Town Hall is scheduled for April 13, 2022 from 4:30 - 6:00 pm. We will engage alumni, current students and the Steering Committee co-chairs on what thriving means to them. We invite you to register and submit questions online. You can find Town Hall information and updates online. We will be hosting at least one per semester to continue to co-create this initiative with you. 

Virtual Fireside Chat with Dr. Gina Garcia

Join the UC Chicanx/Latinx Student Centers for a fireside chat with Dr. Gina Ann Garcia on Wednesday, April 6th from 12-1 p.m.  Dr. Garcia, the leading expert on Hispanic Serving Institutional framework, will discuss what makes servingness and what solidarity looks like across racial and ethnic groups using her framework with the goal of equity and justice as outcomes. RSVP online here.

Steering Committee Membership

Thanks to all the members of the Berkeley community who nominated themselves or others to serve on the inaugural Latinx-Thriving Institution Initiative Steering Committee. 

The Steering Committee membership list is available on the HSI website. We would like to thank the entire committee for their service to the institution in this instrumental and actionable way. A special thank you to Lisa García Bedolla, vice provost for graduate studies and dean of the Graduate Division, and Fabrizio Mejia, interim chief of staff and assistant vice chancellor of student success in Equity & Inclusion, for serving as the committee co-chairs. 

Excelencia in Education Membership

Our campus has become a member of Excelencia in Education’sPresidents for Latino Student Success (P4LSS) Action network, which includes over 130 presidents and chancellors who have committed to make their colleges and universities learning environments where Latinx students thrive. We will leverage their collective expertise and resources, and articulated relationship with Excelencia, to accelerate Latinx student success in higher education. As a member of the P4LSS, we can participate in Excelencia's Technical Assistance institutes and apply for the Seal of Excelencia, a national certification for institutions that strive to go beyond enrollment to intentionally SERVE Latinx students.

Felicidades to Our Exceptional Staff and Faculty  

Congratulations to our exceptional staff and faculty members on their recent campus and systemwide recognition. Lupe Gallegos-Diaz was selected as a recipient of the Kevin McCauley Outstanding Staff Award, which recognizes University of California staff who are supportive and inclusive of staff, encourage equity, diversity, and inclusion, are forward-thinking, and do not compromise quality for fellow staff, students, or faculty.  Professor G. Cristina Mora was presented with the Chancellor's Award for Advancing Institutional Excellence and Equity (CAAIEE) for her outstanding contributions in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice (DEIBJ) through her research, teaching, and service to the community. Dr. Pablo Gonzalez was selected as a recipient of the 2022 Distinguished Teaching Award, the campus’s most prestigious honor for teaching. The award recognizes teaching that incites intellectual curiosity in students, engages them thoroughly in the enterprise of learning, and has a lifelong impact.

We are reminded of the incredibly talented and committed community members ready, willing and able to support these efforts. Advancing the Latinx-Thriving Institution Initiative is our collective responsibility. Thank you again for your engagement, service and feedback as we work toward bringing this vision to fruition. We look forward to gathering online on April 13th at the Town Hall.

In partnership,

Dania Matos, JD (she/her/ella)
Vice Chancellor for Equity & Inclusion
Executive Sponsor and Co-Chair of the Latinx-Thriving Institution Initiative

Professor Kris Guitérrez (she/her/ella)
Co-chair of the HSI Task Force and of the Latinx-Thriving Institution Initiative