The University of Arizona Hispanic Advisory Council provides community input and support to the UA on strategic initiatives and in promoting diversity and inclusion.
The role of the University of Arizona Hispanic Advisory Council is to support the mission and success of the University of Arizona by strengthening the UA’s ability to serve the Hispanic community.
We are committed to serving as a communications conduit between Southern Arizona’s Hispanic communities and the UA. We also value and welcome your input. Please email your questions, suggestions, or comments.
Hispanic Advisory Council Chairs
Magdalena Verdugo (inclusion@arizona.edu)
Victor Mercado (inclusion@arizona.edu)
Meetings
The Advisory Council members are alumni, educators, retirees and community members who are interested in helping the university achieve its goal of embracing our diversity as a strategic source of strength. The council meetings are open to community members. If you are a community member who is interested in joining or attending the Hispanic Advisory Council meetings, please contact Office of Diversity and Inclusion at inclusion@arizona.edu for more information.
Initiatives 2023-2024
Strategy 1: Support University of Arizona Hispanic/Latinx Families and Students
- Host an annual round table with undergraduate students to learn how they are navigating the university environment and develop recommendations based on student feedback for the Office of the President, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and Office of Hispanic Serving Initiatives.
- Connect members of the Hispanic Advisory Council with University of Arizona Colleges, academic departments and other stakeholders to build partnerships and mentoring programs to support graduate and undergraduate student experiences.
- Produce a report that describes the journey of Latinx students across the university and seek out opportunities to improve that experience for Latino/Latina/Latinx students.
- Host receptions and support celebrations and gatherings for Hispanic/Latinx students
- Host a Leadership Day for Hispanic/Latinx graduate students focused on career and workforce development in partnership with Southern Arizona employers.
Strategy 2: Impact the Student Experience through Intentional, Proactive Community Engagement
- Host a community round table with Senior Campus Leaders and Hispanic/Latinx community members from local schools/school districts, community based organizations, and government and private sector partners to discuss how the University and Community can partner to better support the needs of the Hispanic/Latinx community.
- Co-host a ‘College Affordability’ Town Hall focusing on the Hispanic/Latinx student experience with the support of campus partners such as Office of Diversity & Inclusion and Hispanic Serving Initiatives.
- Raise awareness on college affordability in conjunction with Family Connections and other campus partners which can include targeted messaging, town hall discussion in local high schools, and ensuring membership on the Council reflects K-12 representation.
Accomplishments
The Advisory Council also focuses on a number of activities each year that yield significant results. These include:
- The Advisory Council secured significant additional funding to support student recruitment efforts, bolstered retention programs, and increased the number of students who benefit from UA writing skills programs.
- Members collaborated with the Division of Student Affairs to increase the capacity of the UA New Start Program. New Start is a summer bridge program that helps students successfully transition from high school to the UA. Both the total number of students and the number of Hispanic students signing up to participate in New Start has increased by more than 30%.
- Advisory Council members trained to serve as Parents and Alumni Working With Students (PAWS) Volunteers. PAWS Volunteers help the UA recruit students by sharing their personal undergraduate experiences. PAWS Volunteers can adopt a school to help create a college-going culture, assist with college fairs, and/or sponsor and participate in admitted student/parent receptions.