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(link is external) 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(link is external)
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Conference
HACU will be hosting its 36th Annual Conference(link is external) 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(link is external). Students - complete this online application(link is external) 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(link is external), 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(link is external) 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(link is external)) and the Transfer Student Center(link is external) under Centers for Educational Equity and Excellence (CE3)(link is external) 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(link is external)
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(link is external) 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