Hispanic Serving Institution
Contact
Current Team Members
(updated fall 2018)
Agustin Rivera, Jr. Student Success Specialist (Peer Navigator/CRUISE) Alexi Balaguer Senior Student Services Assistant (Peer Navigator/CRUISE) Charlene Holkenbrink-Monk Social & Behavioral Science Course Liaison Cynthia Short Classroom Tutor (CT) Coordinator Juan U. Bernal Math Course Designer Mariam KushkakiClassroom Tutor (CT) Coordinator
Tracey Walker ELAC Course DesignerProgram Management
Leticia Lopez Program Manager619-388-2353, LRC-461 Ikuko McAnally Administrative Technician
619-388-2995, LRC-440 Rena Alspaw Project Assistant 619-388-2995, LRC-440

HISPANIC SERVING INSTITUTION (HSI) CONFERENCE
HSI program overview
San Diego Mesa College is proud to be formally designated a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) by the United States Department of Education. The purpose of this designation is to provide Mesa College the opportunity to improve the academic attainment of Latino/a, Chicano/a, Hispanic, or similar identities, and low-income students. Being an HSI means we are a reflection of our students, their cultures, values, and life experiences. It guides the direction of the college and how we go about the work that we do. Every students deserves to feel connected and safe on campus and to have access to the programs and services to successfully reach their goals. As an Hispanic Serving Institution, Mesa is committed to be the Leading College of Equity and Excellence.
HSI Conference Purpose
While we have continued to make huge strides to better support our students, one common area that seems to recur across all HSI institutions is that of service – we have enrollment numbers, populations of Latinx students are growing, but what does it truly mean to serve our students? If the designation of HSI is “Hispanic-serving institution”, how are we serving our students and communities?
For the purpose of this first conference at Mesa College – the 2019 HSI Conference – this year’s theme is, “What does it mean to serve as a Hispanic-Serving Institution?” We invite you to submit proposals that explore the following topics:
HSI Conference GOALS
Faculty members who participate in the HSI Conference learn enhanced tools and practices to:
- Identify and apply innovative teaching practices through a culturally competent lens.
- Identify and apply active learning principles.
- Explain and demonstrate ways to engage students.
- Collaborate with faculty to foster a community of practice in excellence in teaching and learning.
HSI Conference OUTCOMES
- Improved student learning
- Improved student retention
- Increased student and faculty satisfaction with restructured modes of instruction
- Improved faculty knowledge of what it means to teach at an HSI
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact HSI/Title V Grant Program Manager, Dr. Leticia Lopez at mesaproyectoexito@sdccd.edu.