2025–2026 HSI Mini-Grant Recipients

Cal Poly SABE Candidates Present Research at California Association for Bilingual Education Conference

Department: Cal Poly Spanish Authorization for Bilingual Educators (School of Education, Bailey College of Science and Math)

Project Lead: Briana Ronan

The Spanish Authorization for Bilingual Educators (SABE) program in the School of Education prepares bilingual teacher candidates to serve Latinx/e and multilingual K-12 students through culturally and linguistically responsive pedagogy. Each year, SABE candidates engage in a research project centered on the lived experiences, linguistic assets, and cultural strengths of the Latinx/e students they work with in local schools. Through interviews and community, based inquiry, candidates explore students’ multilingual identities, including English, Spanish, and Indigenous languages such as Mixteco, and analyze the funds of knowledge, community cultural wealth, and migration experiences that shape their learning.

Building from this research, candidates design culturally responsive instructional lessons that honor students’ experiences and promote equitable learning environments in bilingual classrooms. The culminating experience of this work is the opportunity for SABE candidates to present their findings at the annual California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE) conference, one of the most influential statewide gatherings dedicated to advancing educational justice, multilingualism, and biliteracy.

Participation in the conference deepens candidates’ professional identity as bilingual educators and strengthens their understanding of the communities they serve. It also expands their access to mentoring, statewide networks, and research-based practices that directly enhance their future classrooms. This initiative advances Cal Poly’s HSI mission by enriching the educational and research experiences of bilingual Latinx/e teacher candidates and elevating the cultural and linguistic assets of the K-12 students they aim to uplift.

Cal Poly Voices/Voces de Cal Poly

Department: Robert E. Kennedy Library

Project Lead: Victoria Tonascia

The Robert E. Kennedy Library proposes Cal Poly Voices/Voces de Cal Poly, a Spring 2026 speaker series dedicated to uplifting Latinx/e creators from the campus and the greater Central Coast region. Designed to highlight diverse forms of creative scholarship, including poetry, research, visual art, and storytelling, the series celebrates the cultural richness and intellectual contributions of Latinx/e students, faculty, and community members. By spotlighting these voices, the program strengthens visibility, belonging, and dialogue around the many ways creativity shapes identity and community.

Hosted in the newly renovated Kennedy Library, the four, part series will feature monthly events centered on unique themes and artistic expressions. Anticipated participants include faculty authors, student artists and writers, and local creatives whose work reflects the vibrancy of Latinx/e experiences. Calls for participation will be distributed widely across campus to cultivate inclusive involvement and ensure the series reflects the breadth of perspectives within the community.

"Cal Poly Voices/Voces de Cal Poly” supports the goals of fostering a sense of belonging and building community connections by creating welcoming spaces for authentic expression and meaningful interaction through culturally responsive programming that enriches Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing education. This initiative positions the library as an active collaborator in advancing cultural visibility while celebrating Latinx/e voices, serving as a hub where knowledge, creativity, and community converge to support a more inclusive and connected campus experience.

Club Costume and Performance Attire Enhancement Project

Club: Imagen y Espirítu Ballet Folklórico

Project Lead: Cindy Moreno 

Imagen y Espíritu Ballet Folklórico is a student-run organization committed to preserving and uplifting the rich cultural heritage of Mexico through traditional dance styles. As a vibrant community of more than thirty members, the group plays an essential role in bringing Latinx/e artistry, regional histories, and storytelling to Cal Poly. Its performances foster cultural pride, authentic representation, and connection among students while offering the wider campus community meaningful engagement with Latinx/e musical and dance traditions. 

With the organization’s rapid growth, the need for expanded costume collections has become essential to sustaining culturally authentic performances. Each regional style, such as those from Guerrero, Colima, and Veracruz, carries distinct histories reflected through movement, rhythm, and attire. By enhancing the club's costume and performance resources, Imagen y Espíritu aims to deepen cultural education, broaden the repertoire of Mexican regional dances, and ensure that every member has equitable access to participate. These efforts support students in performing with confidence and authenticity while honoring the cultural integrity of Ballet Folklórico. 

This project strengthens Cal Poly’s servingness mission by affirming Latinx/e identity, fostering inclusive participation, and expanding community engagement. Through performances on campus and in local schools, as well as collaborations with cultural organizations, the club builds bridges between Cal Poly and surrounding communities while cultivating a sense of belonging for Latinx/e students. Imagen y Espíritu embodies the spirit of cultural celebration, community pride, and collective learning, advancing visibility and representation as central elements of Cal Poly’s journey toward becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution.

Community Growth and Development 

Club: Latinx Cultural Association

Project Lead: Stephanie Lopez

The Latinx Cultural Association (LCA) fosters community, cultural representation, and leadership development for Latinx/e students at Cal Poly, enriching campus life at an institution striving to become a Hispanic-Serving Institution. Driven to advance peer connection and leadership development, LCA creates welcoming spaces of belonging for Latinx/e students while also engaging the broader campus community in cultural educational programming. 

Through biweekly gatherings, LCA spotlights different Latin American countries, pairing cultural presentations with traditional dishes prepared by its Escuela de Cocina committee. These gatherings cultivate community building through shared meals, storytelling, and intergenerational cultural knowledge, while also offering students the opportunity to build culinary and organizational skills. Beyond weekly meetings, LCA actively participates in campus and community events, such as Día de los Muertos celebrations at local schools and cultural festivals, which strengthen ties between Cal Poly and the surrounding Latinx community. These efforts create meaningful outreach that extends cultural learning beyond campus borders.

LCA’s initiatives advance HSI priorities by promoting cultural and community engagement, increasing the visibility of Latin American traditions, and supporting students who may experience imposter syndrome. This student organization also provides leadership development opportunities through event planning, community fundraisers, and educational programming that empower Latinx/e students to become cultural ambassadors and engage student leaders at Cal Poly. 

Through its gatherings, LCA contributes to a more inclusive and culturally responsive university environment, one where Latinx/e students experience belonging and cultural pride while engaging the broader campus in deeper cultural understanding and representation. 

Craft Center Art Commissions

Department: ASI Craft Center

Project Lead: Jennifer MacMartin 

The ASI Craft Center proposes an initiative to elevate Latinx/e cultural representation through a series of commissioned art installations created by local and campus-affiliated Latinx/e artists. With expansive wall space, shelving, and display areas, the Craft Center offers a unique environment to showcase tapestries, murals, talavera pottery, woven works, and other artistic expressions that reflect the richness and diversity of Latinx/e culture. By integrating these creative works into a highly visible student space, the project fosters multicultural artistry and creates daily opportunities for students to engage with meaningful artistic storytelling.

This initiative aligns with the HSI Taskforce recommendation to enhance Latinx/e cultural representation across campus facilities by positioning the Craft Center as a hub for creativity, cultural enhancement, and community connection. The project envisions a collaborative process that includes campus partners such as La CASA, the Dream Center, and the Chicanx Latinx Faculty Staff Association to ensure broad engagement and representation in the artist selection process.

Beyond the visual installations, the Craft Center aims to cultivate ongoing relationships with Latinx/e artists who may later lead cultural art workshops, mentor students, or serve as guest instructors. By embedding Latinx/e artistry into both the physical environment and future programming, this initiative deepens cultural learning and contributes to a more inclusive creative community. Ultimately, the project enriches the broader campus experience by celebrating Latinx/e identity, amplifying underrepresented voices, and creating welcoming spaces where students see their cultures honored through arts and crafts. 

Educational Field Trip

Department: Latinx/e Center for Academic Success and Achievement 

Project Lead: Yanneli Santos 

The Latinx/e Center for Academic Success and Achievement (La CASA) within the department of Student Diversity and Belonging proposes an educational and cultural immersion experience designed to deepen students’ understanding of Latinx/e heritage through visits to significant cultural landmarks in Los Angeles. Inspired by a previous trip that offered transformative exposure to art, history, and community spaces, this initiative seeks to recreate and expand that opportunity for a new group of students. Through visits to sites such as the Museum of Latin American Art, the California Science Center’s Mayan exhibit, and the historic La Placita Olvera, participants will engage directly with the narratives, traditions, and lived experiences that shape Latinx/e communities in the Los Angeles region.

This experience fosters experiential learning that extends beyond the classroom. Students will interact with cultural institutions as living expressions of heritage, gaining insight into how art, culinary traditions, and community spaces transmit identity and collective memory. The educational trip will also cultivate personal reflection, allowing students to explore their own cultural backgrounds and strengthen their sense of belonging within a broader Latinx diaspora. Whether encountering traditional foods for the first time or witnessing art and history that reflects their cultural heritage, students will engage in meaningful regional experiences that will enrich their personal and collective identity development. 

Financial Literacy Series 

Program: Educational Opportunity Program

Project Lead: Sonia Rojas

The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) proposes a Financial Literacy Series designed to support the holistic development and long, term success of EOP students, many of whom identify as Latinx/e, are first-generation college students, and come from historically marginalized or low-income backgrounds. Recognizing that financial literacy is a core component of student wellbeing, self-actualization, and post-graduation stability, this initiative provides culturally responsive programming that equips students with essential financial knowledge, confidence, and personal agency. 

The series introduces foundational concepts such as budgeting, credit building, negotiation, saving, investing, and long-term financial planning through interactive workshops facilitated in partnership with campus and community experts. By grounding these topics in real-life scenarios and through peer-centered dialogue, the project ensures that students feel supported and empowered as they navigate complex financial systems that they may be encountering for the first time. 

Aligned with the HSI Taskforce recommendations, this initiative centers the lived experiences of Latinx/e and first-generation college students, addressing systemic barriers to financial literacy and economic mobility to ensure student success. The workshops cultivate a community of learners who can share strategies, ask questions without stigma, and build confidence in their financial future. 

By integrating education, cultural responsiveness, and practical skill-building, the Financial Literacy Series strengthens students’ overall career readiness and economic empowerment through accessible learning opportunities. It reinforces EOP’s mission to support students not only in their college journey but in their transition into independent adulthood, ensuring they leave Cal Poly with the tools necessary to thrive.

Inclusive Excellence through Servingness as Belonging: Assessing Cultural Responsiveness and Latinx/e Student Development within Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs)

Department: Leadership and Service

Project Lead: Ernesto Reyes

The Leadership and Service Department proposes a campus-wide initiative to examine how Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) support Latinx/e belonging, cultural responsiveness, and student development within Cal Poly’s co-curricular environment. As RSOs play a pivotal role in shaping student identity, leadership growth, and community connection, understanding how these spaces cultivate or inhibit servingness is essential to Cal Poly’s journey toward becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution. 

This project will engage Latinx/e student leaders, general members, club advisors, and campus partners in conversations that illuminate the practices, attitudes, and structures that influence culturally responsive engagement within RSOs. Through focus groups and dialogue-based sessions, the initiative will explore how Latinx/e students experience inclusion, what support structures advisors perceive as effective, and where organizational culture can more intentionally affirm students’ identities and lived experiences. 

Findings from this assessment will inform future campus collaborations, advisor trainings, leadership development initiatives, and policy enhancements that strengthen equity-minded co-curricular programming. A central outcome of the project will be the creation of a Servingness Matrix, a framework that highlights areas of strength, growth, and opportunity across the RSO ecosystem, guiding departments and student organizations in developing culturally affirming practices. 

By centering the voices and experiences of Latinx/e students, this initiative advances the HSI Taskforce recommendation to integrate culturally responsive frameworks into campus structures. Ultimately, the project supports a more inclusive, relational, and belonging-centered co-curricular landscape, one where Latinx/e students can thrive, lead, and see their identities reflected and valued across Cal Poly.

LBSA 2nd Annual Corporate Tour

Department Club: Orfalea College Of Business, Latinx Business Student Association (LBSA)

Project Lead: Lizbeth Coronado

The Latinx Business Student Association (LBSA), housed in the Orfalea College of Business, is expanding its efforts to support Latinx/e student success through its second annual Corporate Tour, this year located in Los Angeles. This initiative provides a high-impact co-curricular learning experience that bridges academic preparation with professional development, mentorship, and cultural enhancement. Designed to foster meaningful connections between students and industry professionals, the tour will include guided visits to corporate offices, conversations with employees, and panels highlighting pathways into business careers and the ways cultural identity shapes professional experiences. 

The Corporate Tour strengthens students’ understanding of corporate culture, introduces them to employee resource groups that uplift Latinx/e and other underrepresented communities, and offers insight into navigating and thriving within professional environments. By creating a supportive and culturally affirming space, the experience centers belonging and representation which are key components of Cal Poly’s vision for servingness as outlined by the HSI Task Force.

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural tour, where students reported an increased sense of confidence, clarity, and motivation toward their career goals, this year’s expansion aims to deepen opportunities for mentorship and industry engagement. The Los Angeles tour broadens students' exposure to diverse business sectors while empowering them to envision themselves as future leaders within a growing, global, and diverse workforce.

Through this initiative, LBSA continues its commitment to cultivating leadership, increasing sense of belonging, and supporting the professional journeys of Latinx/e emerging leaders as they prepare to enter and transform the business world. 

Mustang Mentorship Program

Department: Admissions and Recruitment

Project Lead: Dr. Dimitrous Chattman 

The Admissions and Recruitment team proposes continued enhancement of the Mustang Mentorship Program (MMP), an initiative designed to support college-bound high school seniors, primarily Latinx/e and other underrepresented students, from Cal Poly’s partner schools. MMP pairs each student with a trained Cal Poly mentor who provides relational, culturally responsive guidance during the pivotal transition from high school to higher education. By fostering connection, encouragement, and individualized support, the program strengthens students’ confidence as they navigate college applications, financial aid, academic expectations, and the social transition into university life. 

MMP has become a trusted bridge for many first-generation students who may feel apprehensive about asking questions or accessing college-going resources. Through consistent mentorship, students build familiarity with campus services, develop a sense of belonging, and gain a clearer understanding of what college success can look like for them. The program’s post-mentorship reflections consistently show increased confidence, stronger preparedness, and deeper connection among participants, demonstrating the transformative power of peer support. 

By centering relationship-building, cultural affirmation, and accessible information, MMP advances the HSI mission of expanding pathways to higher education for Latinx/e communities. The program not only supports individual students but also strengthens Cal Poly’s broader student success efforts by cultivating a welcoming, informed, and supportive pipeline of future Mustangs. Through this initiative, Admissions and Recruitment reinforces a commitment to servingness, uplifting students and families through community, mentorship, and shared possibility.

Raíces

Department: Orfalea College of Business

Project Lead: Alexis Espinoza

The Orfalea College of Business proposes Raíces, a culturally grounded and identity-focused expansion of the Multicultural Business Program designed to support the academic and professional success of Latinx/e and first-generation business students. Rooted in the recommendations of Cal Poly’s HSI Task Force, Raíces centers belonging, equity, and culturally responsive support by acknowledging the lived experiences, strengths, and challenges of Latinx/e students within a historically white institution. While affirming Latinx/e identity and community, the program remains open to all students, fostering cross-cultural collaboration and shared learning.

Raíces is built on four integrated pillars, Career Readiness, Inclusive Intelligence, Professional Development, and Pipeline Persistence. Together, these pillars aim to close access gaps, elevate students’ cultural and professional capital, and ensure that support extends beyond initial recruitment toward long-term success. Through culturally informed career preparation, inclusive leadership training, mentorship opportunities with industry professionals and alumni, and expanded networking pathways, Raíces equips students with the tools, confidence, and community needed to thrive academically and professionally.

The program also strengthens Cal Poly’s broader ecosystem by connecting high school outreach, college success initiatives, and post-graduation career pathways. By embedding inclusive practices within OCOB’s curriculum, student leadership structures, and professional development programs, Raíces contributes to lasting institutional change.

Ultimately, Raíces advances Cal Poly’s mission to serve Latinx/e students with intention and cultural responsiveness, cultivating belonging, elevating student voice, and supporting the next generation of business leaders shaped by resilience, heritage, and community.

Raíces Diversas: Dialogues on Disability, Identity, and Belonging in the Latinx/e Community

Department: Disability Resource Center

Project Lead: Sarahi Gonzales Ramirez 

The Disability Resource Center proposes Raíces Diversas, a dialogue-based initiative that amplifies the lived experiences of Latinx/e students with disabilities while fostering a more culturally responsive and inclusive campus environment. Grounded in the HSI Taskforce’s principles of belonging, intersectionality, and equitable access, the program creates intentional spaces where students, faculty, staff, and allies can engage in meaningful conversations about identity, resilience, community, and systemic barriers.

Through monthly, professionally facilitated dialogues, held either in person or virtually, participants will explore themes that challenge stigma and deepen empathy. Storytelling, open conversations, and creative expressions, such as art, poetry, and spoken word will support reflection and connection across communities. Partnerships with Latinx/e, disability, and multicultural resource centers will ensure representation and shared ownership, while co-created community agreements will cultivate psychological safety.

The initiative also includes the development of a bilingual Intersectional Advocacy Toolkit, offering practical guidance on campus supports, disability allyship, and culturally grounded advocacy within Latinx/e contexts. Faculty and staff will be invited to participate in an intersectionality and bias workshop, expanding institutional capacity for equity-minded practice and strengthening cross-campus collaboration.

Raíces Diversas envisions dialogue as a catalyst for cultural transformation, one that elevates underrepresented voices, strengthens community ties, and advances Cal Poly’s mission to serve Latinx/e students with intention and humanity. By creating spaces where students feel seen, valued, and supported across all identities, this project contributes to a campus climate rooted in shared learning, understanding, and belonging. 

Santa Maria Welcome Event

Department: Admissions & Recruitment Office

Project Lead: Mandy Blackburn

The Admissions and Recruitment Office proposes a culturally responsive welcome event for newly accepted students from partner high schools in the Santa Maria region, an area where the overwhelming majority of applicants identify as Latinx/e. Recognizing the critical role that families and supporters play in the college decision-making process, especially for first-generation students, this initiative brings Cal Poly directly into the community to foster trust, accessibility, and meaningful engagement. By hosting the event locally, the program reduces transportation and financial barriers that often prevent families from visiting campus, ensuring equitable access to information, guidance, and supportive conversations about the transition to higher education. 

The welcome event will provide students and their families the opportunity to meet Cal Poly representatives, learn about academic and support resources, explore the benefits of attending Cal Poly, and ask questions in a welcoming and culturally affirming environment. This approach strengthens relationships with Latinx/e communities by positioning parents and supporters as essential partners in students’ educational journeys. 

This initiative aligns with HSI Taskforce priorities to expand pipeline and yield programs, develop inclusive recruitment strategies, and increase Cal Poly’s presence within predominantly Latinx/e communities. By cultivating trust and deepening outreach efforts in Santa Maria, the project aims to enhance yield rates, increase enrollment of Latinx/e students, and build long-term pathways that support student success from high school to Cal Poly and beyond. 

Ultimately, the Santa Maria Welcome Event advances Cal Poly’s mission of servingness by creating accessible, community engagement opportunities that empower families and foster a sense of belonging from the very beginning of the college journey. 

Trauma Healing Workshop for Latinx/e Students

Department: Psychology & Child Development Department

Project Lead: Susana Lopez

The Psychology & Child Development Department proposes Trauma Healing for Latinx/e Students, a culturally grounded wellness initiative designed to offer Latinx/e students a supportive and restorative space within a predominantly White institution. Research consistently shows that Latinx/e students at PWIs often encounter discrimination, stereotyping, isolation, and feelings of invisibility, which can negatively impact mental health, academic performance, and sense of belonging. This workshop directly responds to those challenges by creating a healing-centered counter-space led by Latinx/e, identified psychology faculty who understand the cultural nuances that shape students’ lived experiences.

The workshop provides a guided environment where students can engage in collective reflection, gain tools for emotional healing, and receive validation for the adversities they face both on and off campus. Through culturally responsive practices and trauma-informed approaches, participants explore themes of identity, resilience, community connection, and psychological wellbeing. The space emphasizes safety, affirmation, and empowerment, elements that are essential for students who may not always feel represented or supported in traditional institutional settings.

This initiative advances Cal Poly’s Hispanic-Serving Institution priorities by promoting holistic wellness, fostering belonging, and addressing equity gaps in mental health access for Latinx/e students. By centering culturally informed healing practices, the workshop strengthens students’ ability to thrive academically and personally while contributing to a more inclusive and compassionate campus climate. Trauma Healing for Latinx/e Students serves as both an intervention and an act of community-building, affirming that every student deserves to feel seen, supported, and valued.