Latinx

SFSU earns prestigious Seal of Excelencia for its commitment to Latinx students

Kent Bravo — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 18:37:38 +0000

SFSU earns prestigious Seal of Excelencia for its commitment to Latinx students

Author: Strategic Marketing and Communications

October 1, 2024

The seal recognizes SFSU for its leadership in meeting needs of Latinx students, advancing their talents

SAN FRANCISCO (October 1, 2024) – San Francisco State University has earned the prestigious Seal of Excelencia granted by Excelencia in Education, the nation’s premier authority on efforts to accelerate Latinx student success in higher education. The Seal is a national certification for institutions that strive to more intentionally serve Latinx students.

San Francisco State is one of 17 colleges and universities to earn the Seal in 2024. In 2018, Excelencia introduced the Seal to certify trendsetting colleges and universities for their efforts to become learning environments where Latinx, and all, students thrive. This year marks the organization’s 20th year of service to accelerate Latinx student success in higher education.

The Seal of Excelencia framework represents a rigorous assessment of certified institutions’ intentionality and impact. It assesses the institutions’ outcomes in retention, financial support and degree completion for Latinx students through the alignment of data, practice and leadership. Seal certification remains valid for three years, after which institutions can recertify progress.

“We are deeply honored to receive the Seal of Excelencia for our steadfast commitment to advancing the talents of Latinx students,” SFSU President Lynn Mahoney said. “Here at SF State, we understand the importance of providing an environment where students’ identities are celebrated and represented in their education. Earning the Seal reflects that.”

This year’s cohort of newly certified and recertified institutions belongs to a collective of 46 colleges and universities that have earned the Seal. Together, they represent less than 1% of all institutions but enroll 17% and graduate 19% of all Latinx students nationwide.

Specifically at SFSU, Latinx student enrollment doubled between 2010 and 2022. More than 39% of students identify as Latinx, making them the largest ethnic group among the University’s undergraduates.

“The colleges and universities that earn the Seal of Excelencia lead the charge in meeting our nation’s degree attainment goals,” said Deborah Santiago, co-founder and CEO of Excelencia of Education. “They demonstrate commitment to Latino student success through impact and ongoing self-assessment.”

Higher education, business, philanthropy and government leaders in Excelencia’s community convened in Washington, D.C., to recognize SFSU as one of eight institutions that earned the Seal of Excelencia for the first time, as well as nine other institutions that earned recertification. The announcement was part of the organization’s National Policy Forum, focused on innovating policies to accelerate Latinx degree attainment and strengthen our country’s civic leadership and workforce. The 17 Seal-certified institutions exemplify the kinds of programs and practices that inform good policy.

Before SFSU earned the Seal of Excelencia, President Mahoney joined Excelencia’s national network of Presidents for Latino Student Success (P4LSS). The network comprises over 200 higher education leaders committed to making their institutions learning environments where Latinx, and all, students thrive. Institutions in the P4LSS network are eligible to apply for the Seal. To earn the Seal of Excelencia, they must demonstrate:

An intentional, institutional focus on advancing Latinx student success by aligning data and practice
Deliberate and ongoing assessment to identify and implement strategies that improve Latinx student achievement
Leadership commitment to continue transforming into an environment where Latinx students thrive
A long-term and unwavering commitment to intentionally serve Latinx, and all, students.

For example, SFSU is conducting targeted outreach efforts aimed at bolstering retention and degree completion rates among Latinx students. Much of this work is part of the California State University’s Equity Priority directives, which aim to eliminate equity gaps. Re-enrollment and re-engagement campaigns are also a priority with cross-campus units working to help our Latinx students who have dropped out return.

“Students and families as well as leaders in philanthropy, business and government look to colleges and universities that earned the Seal of Excelencia when making their institutional choices,” said Sarita Brown, co-founder and president of Excelencia in Education. “Excelencia is proud to partner with institutions ensuring America’s bright future by advancing the talents of the Latino community.”

Interested in becoming a San Francisco State University student? Apply now!

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About San Francisco State University

San Francisco State University is a public university serving students from the San Francisco Bay Area, across California and around the world, with nationally acclaimed programs that span a broad range of disciplines. More than 22,000 students enroll at the University each year, and its approximately 294,000 graduates have contributed to the economic, cultural and civic fabric of San Francisco and beyond. Through them — and more than 1,800 world-class faculty members — SF State proudly embraces its legacy of academic excellence, community engagement and commitment to social justice. For more information, visit sfsu.edu.

About Excelencia in Education

Launched in 2004 in the nation’s capital, Excelencia in Education leads a national network of results-oriented educators and policymakers to tap the talents of the Latino community and address the U.S. economy’s needs for a highly educated workforce and engaged civic leaders. With this network, Excelencia accelerates Latino student success in higher education by promoting Latino student achievement, informing educational policies with a Latino lens and advancing evidence-based practices. In 2024, Excelencia marks 20 years of commitment to Latino student success. For more information, visit EdExcelencia.org.

SFSU celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month with music, food, art events

Steve Hockensmith — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 21:39:59 +0000

SFSU celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month with music, food, art events

Author: Strategic Marketing and Communications

September 24, 2024

Photo Credit: Danza Xitlalli de San Francisco, a group of alumni danzantes (folk dancers specializing in Indigenous Mexican culture), perform on campus for National Hispanic Heritage Month in 2022.

The festivities will take place across campus through mid-October

San Francisco State University kicked off National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15) last week with a music- and food-filled party at Malcolm X Plaza and rock-climbing and art events at the Mashouf Wellness Center. The celebration continues for the next three weeks with events across campus.

“Each part of America Latina creates a beauty that is diverse in culture, art, dance and food, to name a few,” said Emmanuel Padilla, director of San Francisco State’s Latinx Student Center. “Latinx Heritage Month reminds us of that beauty and centers us in the present.”

Padilla helped SF State launch the Latinx Student Center at the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month two years ago. Today the center — located in Village C, room 140 — offers workshops, study and meeting spaces, free printing, an open kitchen, a community library and more.

Padilla teamed up with partners across campus to create a mix of National Hispanic Heritage Month events running from now through Oct. 9. For location updates, keep an eye on the Latinx Student Center on Instagram.

Monday, Sept. 30
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Showcase and Resources: Artists, Food and Culture of Hispanix
Educational Opportunity & Pathway Programs and Student Support Services–Trio offices, SSB 201

Tuesday, Oct. 1
Noon – 2 p.m.
Anti-Worry Doll-Making Workshop
LIB 121

Wednesday, Oct. 2
Noon – 2 p.m.
Rise Beyond Borders: Undocumented Student Month Kickoff
Malcolm X Plaza

Wednesday, Oct. 2
6 – 8 p.m.
Latinxa/o/x Film Club Screening
Location TBD

Tuesday, Oct. 8
1 – 2 p.m.
Lotería with Project Connect
Location TBD

Wednesday, Oct. 9
Noon – 2 p.m.
Peso Pluma Listening Party
University Club (Cesar Chavez Student Center)

Wednesday, Oct. 9
12:30 – 1:45 p.m., 2 – 3:15 p.m.
Salvadoran Women’s Poetry Reading
Location TBD

Want to know more?

Learn about SFSU’s Latinx Student Center or send questions to emmanuelpadilla@sfsu.edu.

Scholarship supports Latinx Gators pursuing careers in STEM

Kanaga Rajan — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 17:00:00 +0000

Scholarship supports Latinx Gators pursuing careers in STEM

Author: Kanaga Rajan

December 19, 2022

Photo Credit: LITSI scholarship winners and others were honored on stage at the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley (HFSV) Ball last year

SF State is the most represented university in the 2022 cohort of the Latinos in Technology Scholarship program

“I was the first in my family to ever go to a four-year [college]. As a Latina, I’m very proud of myself,” said San Francisco State University student Carmen Vargas Velazquez. As the youngest in her large Hispanic family — around 25 aunts and uncles — she says her drive in science stems from her experiences with her family.

Vargas and 10 other San Francisco State students are among the 52 recipients of the 2022 Latinos in Technology Scholarship (LITSI) from the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley (HFSV). With 11 awardees, SF State is the most represented university in this year’s cohort and ranks third in scholarships received between 2016 and 2021.

The program provides Latinx STEM students with up to $10,000 in annual financial support for up to three years plus professional development and internship opportunities. This year’s SF State recipients are in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science and Engineering.

“Honestly, I just think [LITSI] has made my college experience so far a lot easier, and it just doesn’t feel so difficult trying to find space [in the field],” said Vargas, a third-year in Cell & Molecular Biology who is only a few months into the program. She says HFSV’s network already helped her navigate professional development, interviews and networking. The confidence she’s gained even led her to earn a coffee date with SF State President Lynn Mahoney.

“I had to remind myself that I am a first-gen student and I kind of have to pave the way for myself,” said Vargas about her college experience which started during the pandemic.

Everything from applying for and starting college to moving away from home has been intimidating. She explains that she didn’t have guidance on early college prep while in high school. Plus she grew up hearing negative stereotypes about Latinas and discouraging statistics about women in STEM.

But Vargas wanted to study biology and is particularly interested in studying reproductive medicine and women’s health. Some of her motivation grew from her childhood experiences being a translator between her mom and doctors.

Meeting people via LITSI and other University scholarships and mentorship programs (METRO, SEO, Latinas in STEM, AMWA) helped Vargas quell some of her imposter syndrome. Lessons she learned in the LITSI program helped her land her first research opportunity in Biology Professor Diana Chu’s lab studying sperm and embryos.

“That investment that [HFSV] made in me is not only playing out now through my investments in other young STEM professionals. But the work continues and is going to continue for generations to come,” said SF State and LITSI alumnus Joseph Hernandez (B.S./B.A., ’22). He recently started working for the Center for Reducing Health Disparities (CRHD) at the University of California Davis Health performing qualitative research and disseminating COVID information and resources to community-based organizations.

Vargas actually met Hernandez at an informational LITSI seminar and says his feedback was instrumental in her own application.

For Hernandez — an aspiring physician — it is all about community. He double-majored in Cell & Molecular Biology and Latina/Latino Studies at SF State. He hopes that bringing cultural context and empathy into health care will promote larger cultural shifts.

“Health comes in a myriad of forms,” he explained. “From my personal experience and from the mentors and teachers who I’ve learned from, I want to take those teachings and really transcend healing.”

Hernandez struggled in community college because he lacked the necessary resources. He came to SF State determined to change his trajectory. But he was hesitant to apply for LITSI because on paper, he fell just short of the eligibility requirements.

“I actually reached out and talked to [HFSV], and they said, ‘We’ll open it for you.’ I was able to explain my life, circumstances and everything,” he said. Not only has Hernandez successfully graduated, in 2022 he was the keynote speaker at the annual HFSV ball.

“I think what’s important is to explain your vision, because it’s not only about what you’ve lived but also the direction you want to take your experiences,” he concluded.

Learn more about the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley’s Latinos in Technology Scholarship application .