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Cal State Fullerton as a Hispanic-Serving Institution

In 2004, Cal State Fullerton was granted its designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution for enrolling over 25% Latinx/a/o students. Yet we pride ourselves in our efforts beyond the designation, focusing on intentionally serving our Latinx students through a myriad of programs and services that go above and beyond traditional educational offerings. In fact, in 2021, we received the Seal of Excelencia for its support of Latinx students. This national honor reflects how we continue to be a leader in supporting the Latinx/a/o population.

Latine student waving to crowd during commencement.

Our Accomplishments:

2004
Cal State Fullerton was designated an HSI by the U.S. Department of Education.

52.3%
of CSUF's 40,000+ students identify as Latinx/a/o

#1
CSUF's rank in California for awarding bachelor's degrees to underrepresented students

#2
in California for awarding bachelor's degrees to Latinx/a/o students

#4
in the nation for awarding bachelor's degrees to Latinx/a/o students

About the Seal of Excelencia

In 2021, the Seal of Excelencia was awarded to California State University, Fullerton.
The Seal of Excelencia is representative of our collective impact, supportive infrastructure, commitment to excellence, and all that we do to serve Latinx students. This distinction further accentuates Cal State Fullerton as a university that fast tracks Latinx student success.

Students performing Ballet Folklorico.

National HSI Week: September 9 to September 17

hsi pink tile

Each year, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) calls on Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) to join in the observance of National HSI Week. The purpose of National HSI week is to celebrate and build awareness of the work and important role HSIs play in improving access to education, advancing equity practices, and the contributions in their communities.

See events for the week below:

Monday, Sept. 9

HSI Week Kick-Off

Time: 9:00am – 10:00am

Host: Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs

Location: Central Quad

Stop by the Central Quad to kick-off HSI Week with some chocolate (hot chocolate) and donuts. Take a picture with Tuffy and grab some free HSI Week swag and information until supplies last.

Monday, Sept. 9

Dia De Los Muertos Mask Painting

Event: Dia De Los Muertos Mask Painting

Host: Veterans Resource Center

Time: 5:00pm – 7:00pm

Location: Veterans Resource Center Lounge (GH-244)

We would like to invite students to join us in the VRC lounge for a mask painting event, where they can watch the movie Coco, enjoy traditional Mexican sweet bread called Pan Dulce, and share stories about their family members while building community.

Tuesday, Sept. 10

Loteria & Pupusas

Host: Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) & TRIO Student Support Services (SSS)

Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm

Location: EOP Conference Room (GH-141)

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month at CSUF, please join EOP & TRIO SSS for a Loteria Game and Pupusas. During this event, CSUF students will have the opportunity to play Loteria (CSUF Version) and eat delicious pupusas as they learn about Hispanic Heritage and CSUF services.

Tuesday, Sept. 10

Servingness Panel Discussion

Host: Latinx Community Resource Center, Diversity Initiatives & Resource Centers, Diversity, Inclusion & Equity Programs

Time: 3:00-4:00pm

Location: Housing, Pine 140

Wednesday, Sept. 11

HSI- Speed Friending

Hosts: Ash Ongalibang and Matthew Phillips

Time: 11:30am – 1:30pm

Location: Laurel MPR

Join us for HSI Week's Speed Friending event—a fun and fast-paced way to meet new people and build connections! Designed to bring students together, this event offers a series of quick, guided conversations that help you break the ice, make friends, and expand your network within our diverse campus community. Whether you're new to campus or just looking to meet more people, this is the perfect opportunity to connect, share experiences, and celebrate our vibrant campus!

Wednesday, Sept. 11

Tapp into HSI

Host: Transfer Adult Reentry Parenting and Pregnant (TAPP) Center

Time: 11:00am-1:00pm

Location: TAPP Center (LH-216)

Join the TAPP center to celebrate HSI week with agua frescas, pan dulce, dulces, and an opportunity to connect in community!

Wednesday, Sept. 11

Supporting Black Male Students at an HSI

Hosts: Male Success Initiative and Office of Black Student Academic Success

Time: 12:00pm

Location: GH 141

Join us for a conversation on how to support Black Male students at a CSUF and other Hispanic Service Institution. Facilitators will share current data on CSUF Black male student graduation rates and best practices. The goal of the conversation will be to identify ways functional areas that facilitate cross-cultural connections between students and celebrates students’ identities and experiences. Dessert will be provided.

Thursday, Sept. 12

Money Matters presented by ScholsFirst Credit Union

Hosts: Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) in collaboration with SchoolsFirst Credit Union

Time: 12:30pm – 1:30pm

Location: EOP Student Center (GH-231)

In this workshop we will discuss budgeting concepts and how you can use budgeting to reach your Financial Goals and /or retirement.

Thursday, Sept. 12

WRC x LCRC Welcome

Hosts: Women's Resource Center and Latinx Community Resource Center

Time: 11:00am – 1:00pm

Location: Titan Walk and Becker Amphitheater

SEPTIEMBRE 12 SERÁ BONITO! Join the Women's Resource Center and the Latinx Community Resource Center for our fall welcome event! Turn your curiosity into a free agua fresca, visit several of our partner and student org tables, get involved, and receive a ticket for a fresh beverage on a hot summer day. We can't wait to meet you!

Thursday, Sept. 12

Movie Night with the Multicultural Greek Council

Hosts: Multicultural Greek Council

Time: 4:30pm

Location: Humanities 123

Join Us for a Magical Movie Night with the Multicultural Greek Council! Get ready for a night of enchantment as we roll out the red carpet for a special screening of Encanto ! But that's not all! We're a lineup of mouthwatering snacks that’ll make your taste buds dance. Before the movie starts, we’ll be introducing all our amazing MGC chapters—come meet the vibrant leaders and members who make our community shine! So, grab your friends, bring your excitement, and come experience a night filled with magic, culture, and community spirit. We can’t wait to see you there!

Friday, Sept. 13

Supporting Latinx Students Mental Health

Hosts: Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs

Speaker: Dr. Veronica Franco

Time: 12:00pm-1:30pm

Location: Laurel MPR

Intended Audience: This workshop is intended for faculty and staff to learn more about how to support Latinx student’s wellbeing, however all are welcome.

Dr. Veronica Franco will facilitate a workshop that will focus on providing a better understanding on how to best support Latinx students' wellbeing. Considerations around students' intersecting identities will be discussed and specific culturally congruent strategies will be provided. This workshop is intended to be interactive and will build on the already existing best practices for how to support Latinx students. Specific attention to first-generation college student identity, familial roles, cultural values, and immigration status will be addressed.

Tuesday, Sept. 17

Building Comunidad for Cal State Fullerton Chicanx and Latine Employees, Students, and Supportive Allies

Hosts: Dr. Alexandro Gradilla, Associate Professor of Chicana & Chicano Studies, and Dr. Vincent Vigil, Sr. Associate Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students

Time: 12:00pm-1:30pm

Location: Pine 140

Come together, network, and build comunidad. At this networking lunch, participants will discuss creating a culture of servingness for our employees and students to assist with their successes at Cal State Fullerton

Resources

Hispanic Grant Programs

Project upGRADS (Utilizing & Promoting Graduate Resources & Access for Disadvantaged Students)

Project upGRADS is an initiative supports that Hispanic/Latinx graduate students with faculty mentoring, workshops, summer academic bridge program, scholarships, etc. 30% of CSUF’s master’s students identify Latinx. Project upGRADS is funded until 2024 by the U.S. Department of Education’s HSI Title V program. It is CSUF’s third such 5-year, multimillion dollar grant of which award-winning EPOCHS grant was nationally recognized by Excelencia in Education in 2016.

Contact: Luis Molina, Project Director
lhmolina@yqczg.net

Contact Luis Molina

Project RAISE (Regional Alliance in STEM Education)

Project RAISE is a Department of Education Title III HSI-STEM grant awarded to CSUF in October 2016 for developing a regional alliance in STEM education to help such students complete STEM degrees. Through seven activities and partnerships with community colleges, Project RAISE works to increase the number of Hispanic and low-income STEM students and their retention and graduation rates by incorporating activities such as:

Undergraduate Research Program (URE), an 8-week summer research experience guided by CSUF faculty
RAISE Transfer Program (RTP), a peer advising and academic support program for students who transfer to CSUF
Summer Internship Program (SIP), a summer internship program for RTP participants, in collaboration with the Orange County Business Council
Outreach visits to CSUF for presentations and lab tours

Contact Project Raise

Latinx Community Resource Center

A balloon with "50 years" and "Latinx Community Resource Center" written on it.

The Latinx Community Resource Center (LCRC) works to create an inclusive environment for students to engage in history, culture, and equity issues in the Latinx community.

Connect with the LCRC

Latinx Student Organizations

A group of students making crafts during the Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month Celebration.

Cal State Fullerton is home to many networking and leadership opportunities for Latinx students, including student organizations, sororities, and fraternities dedicated to the Latinx student experience.

Learn more about the many Latinx student organizations