Illuminating the path to HSI success.
“Dra. Cataño is truly committed to the success of HSIs. Drawing on HSI research she creates practical solutions for advancing servingness through an intersectional approach. She's knowledgeable, caring, and approaches this work through a Latine/x culturally enhancing lens.”
— Dr. Gina Ann Garcia, Professor, Berkeley School of Education and Faculty Director, Latinx Thriving Initiatives
Evidence-based, Research, Educational, Servingness (ERES)
As Latine/x and low-income enrollment continues to increase nationwide, HSIs have the priority to, not only, increase completion and success rates of these student populations, but have a responsibility to serve with intentionality. Competition for grant funding for the 600 HSI eligible institutions and the 412 emerging HSIs (Excelencia in Education, 2023) are increasing and only less than 50% of those receive funding. There is a pressing need to prepare current stakeholders and practitioners serving at the institutions in order to create an environment that is conducive to learning and supports the success of Latine/x students for the betterment of our comunidades. ERES HSI is committed to supporting HSI practitioners and stakeholders by offering thoughtfully and well-crafted support systems in the following areas: (1) emerging HSIs, and (2) professional development, tailored to the variety of institutional and individual needs. Collectively, let’s work on conceptualizing servingness for your institution.
Queering HSIs Identity Framework
HSIs are being queered to serve Latinx students beyond racialized perspectives, fostering a more nuanced approach to discussions of sexuality and challenging dominant norms. Queering HSIs expands and complicates servingness to disrupt the current categorization of gender and sexuality beyond the binary. The framework repositions and alters the ways we serve our Latinx students beyond a racialized lens.
“Dr. Yolanda Cataño's unparalleled ability to guide Linn-Benton Community College toward understanding the needs of LatinX students and their families is phenomenal. I am confident our rural community college will become a recipient of the Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) designation.”
— Jason J. Dorsette, Executive Director, Institutional Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Linn-Benton Community College
Services
Emerging HSIs
ERES HSI will provide a variety of tasks based on the needs of each institution to assist with preparing said institution to apply to become an eligible Hispanic-Serving Institution. In addition, ERES HSI will provide guidance to college leadership, faculty, and key stakeholder groups to best position them to apply for eligibility and secure grant-funding opportunities via the three discretionary grants available.
Professional Development
ERES HSI offers Liderazgo en HSIs as a professional development program specifically catering to HSI stakeholders and practitioners at emerging and current HSIs who are wishing to conceptualize a more intentional approach towards servingness for Latinx/e, low-income, and our most underserved students at their respective institutions. Professional development for HSIs is a crucial component of enhancing the quality of education and support services offered to students and faculty in these institutions. It involves a range of activities and strategies designed to improve the skills, knowledge, and effectiveness of the faculty and staff, ultimately benefiting the institution and its diverse student population.