Sep 13, 2022

Dear campus community,

This year’s annual celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month marks two important milestones for UCI. As we celebrate nationally the contributions of Americans with ancestry from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America from September 15 to October 15, we locally recognize the engagement of all UCI members that support us as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and UCI’s leadership role in the formation of an Alliance of Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSRU Alliance).        

UCI received its federal HSI designation from the U.S. Department of Education in May 2017. This designation recognized that fully one-quarter of all undergraduates identified as Latino and half of all students received finanical aid. The designation has become more that a pride point on the campus as it has translated to resources and funding that supported undergraduates and graduate students during the height of COVID-19.  Chicano/Latino students currently comprise 25% of all undergraduates and 12% of all graduate students enrolled at UCI.              

Both the representation and the success of all UCI students, faculty, and staff are among the interests of the new HSRU Alliance. The alliance currently represents nine states and a unique network of 21 universities with very high research productivity and Hispanic-Serving designations. The leadership includes presidents and chancellors committed to doubling the number of Hispanic doctoral students enrolled at their institutions and increasing those represented as faculty members by 2030.    

Developing pathways to success will be a key focus of activities and programs offered at UCI to celebrate the month, including the Fiesta Latina en Irvine, scheduled 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, September 24, at the Great Park in Irvine. The fiesta is hosted by the City of Irvine in partnership with UCI. The event is free, open to all and requires no registration. This event will feature food, exhibits, music and performances to recognize the contributions of individuals with Hispanic heritage who represent over 18% of the U.S. population.  

I look forward to your participation in all ongoing activities and opportunities to enhance learning and support for Hispanics and Latinx members of our society. Please view opportunities as they are posted at the Cross-Cultural CenterDepartment of Chicano/Latino Studies, and Latinx Resource Center, among other campus resources.

Take the Pledge 

#ActforInclusion

Douglas M. Haynes, Ph.D. (Pronouns: he/him/his)
Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Chief Diversity Officer
Director, ADVANCE Program
Professor of History