Representation of the Latine community on campus- is there enough?

Amidst the national shifting of diversity, equity and inclusion practices universities like Cal Poly Humboldt are impacted. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), what does the representation of Latine faculty mean as a university, and how does it impact our community? 

Every year Cal Poly Humboldt’s Institutional Research, Analytics, and Reporting (IRAR) releases statistics on the demographics of students and faculty. The fall 2024 faculty data revealed that out of 531 faculty, 38 self-identified as Latine. That makes up 7.16% of faculty on campus at this HSI. 

Among the 7.16% is assistant professor, Andrea Delgado. Earning her doctorate from the University of Washington, Delgado works in the English department at CPH. She experienced the importance of representation during her time as a student. 

While earning her doctorate in comparative literature, cinema and media, Delgado had periods where she almost decided to take a different route because she felt that she didn’t belong.

“When I was in grad school I felt like I didn’t belong. But that all changed for me when I had a Latina professor,” Delgado said. “I was ready to just not go on to the doctorate and just end with my master’s until I saw that I had a class with a Latina faculty member who became my mentor in grad school.” 

An HSI is a federal designation of public or private colleges or universities that have an enrollment of Pell Grant-eligible undergraduate full-time students totaling at least 25%.    

With the HSI designation only technically coming from the number of Latine students, Delgado said, there needs to be more improvement in this area. It is about actually serving those students and going beyond just wearing the HSI as a badge, said Delgado. 

In the current political climate, there has been a rise in resistance to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)  practices in and out of universities which begs the question of how the university will proceed. 

“More than ever this is an important time for us to be brave as an institution. Instead of moving away from some of the policies that we fought so hard to establish, we should move in full force including becoming a sanctuary institution,” Delgado said. 

Catalina Alexander is a Freshman at Cal Poly Humboldt majoring in environmental studies. As a Latine student, Alexander feels she has not felt well represented due to not seeing many Latine professors. 

“I have only had one Latinx professor and it was for my Chicano history class,” Alexander said. “It impacted the class well, I felt heard and seen. It would have been weird if my professor was not Latinx. It feels good to me when I see faculty members that look like me. I have always had majority white teachers.”

Fernando Paz, campus and community development coordinator at the office of diversity, equity and inclusion (ODEI) serves as a public-facing liaison between the office and on and off-campus communities. ODEI has a goal of moving from checking a box for compliance to holistic changes. 

“Moving beyond check the box compliance focused efforts to holistic changes in campus culture and daily interactions. We are involved in leading a number of institutional initiatives,” Paz said. 

Paz highlights the programs on campus that support Latine students academically and socially.

“There are a number of programs and initiatives across campus to support Latinx students in many ways including academically and socially,” Paz said.  “Primary among them is El Centro Académico Cultural de Humboldt which includes a culturally responsive academic advisor and a number of events for socializing throughout the academic year, ‘Cafe con Chisme’ being one of the most successful of these events.” 

Delgado offers a piece of advice for students for their success. 

“Find your people in terms of students and faculty, who you feel comfortable asking questions. Don’t be afraid to ask questions,” Delgado said.