Fullerton College Celebrates Hispanic Serving Institutions Week
Fullerton College is celebrating National Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) Week from Sept. 10–16. The week-long celebration recognizes more than 500 HSI’s throughout the nation for their work and critical role in educating and empowering Hispanic students.
Fullerton College has been recognized as an HSI campus on the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic/Latinx and has been a Latinx enrolling HSI since the mid-90s. Colleges and universities are defined as an HSI when at least 25% of enrolled students identify as Hispanic. In 1996, Fullerton College reached a level of 25.42% Hispanic students to meet HSI criteria. The college now enrolls nearly 60 percent Hispanic/Latinx students.
The campus has formed an HSI Transformation Team, working with author and scholar Dr. Gina Ann Garcia to enhance and embrace servingness as an HSI. The idea of “servingness,” introduced by Dr. Garcia in her book Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) in Practice: Defining “Servingness” at HSIs, examines the shift from just enrolling Latinx students to actively serving them.
The HSI Transformation Team is working on five key pillars to further define and establish Fullerton College’s identity as an HSI:
- Hiring and diversifying faculty
- Marketing and branding our HSI identity
- Culturally relevant practices
- Create a collegewide infrastructure
- Cultivate solidarity
HSI Week Celebration
Kick off the HSI Week festivities from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 10. There will be free Latin American flags, a mobile library and “Yo Soy” and arts and crafts activities at the Cruz Reynoso Courtyard. In addition, enjoy sweet paletas and fun conversations with Fullerton College President Dr. Cynthia Olivo from 11 a.m. to noon.
Puente Center Grand Opening
The campus is excited to celebrate the Puente Center’s grand opening in Building 100, Room 122 and launch Latinx Heritage Month. The grand opening celebration features a live performance from the Chicano band Las Cafeteras and remarks from keynote speaker and author, Reyna Grande. Join us from noon to 5 p.m. on Sept. 12 in the quad. RSVP on the event page.
The Fullerton College Puente Program has been supporting Latinx and underrepresented students for over 30 years. It offers a learning community where students take courses together, receive mentoring and access counseling services. The program has helped students excel academically, achieve degrees and transfer to four-year colleges. Learn more at the Puente program’s website.
Cruisin’ to College
Fullerton College will also host its second annual Cruisin’ to College car show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14 in staff and student parking lot 4 near Sherbeck Field. The car show will include live music, entertainment, food vendors, awards and a resource fair showcasing Fullerton College programs such as Career and Technical Education (CTE), financial aid support, student clubs and more.
All classic makes and models are eligible to participate. Entry fees are $25 for cars and $15 for bikes. All vehicle entries will receive four tickets to the Sherbeck Classic. Proceeds will support student scholarships.
For more information on the car show and to participate, visit the sign up form.
HSI Week Campaign and Latinx Heritage Month Kick-off
Throughout the week, the Cadena Cultural Center will share educational resources about HSIs and what it means for Fullerton College to be designated as an HSI via posts on Instagram. The center will also host a resource fair with activities and music to kick off Latinx Heritage Month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 16 at the Cruz Reynoso Courtyard.
The Cadena Cultural Center connects departments, student organizations and staff to enhance cultural awareness and promote a sense of belonging on campus. Learn more at the Cadena Cultural Center’s website.
For a full list of HSI Week events, visit the campus calendar.
