MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University will host the fifth annual Hispanic Serving Institution Summit on April 17, 2026. This year’s summit will highlight how data can inform, align, and advance commitment to serving students.
Following the previous four years, this summit invites local, state, and national partners and all interested community members to share ideas and best practices for serving and supporting students.
This year, Marla Franco, Ph.D., will serve as keynote speaker. Franco has worked in higher education for nearly 25 years at public universities in California and Arizona, having served in various roles within academic and student affairs to champion greater college access and degree attainment among underserved and minoritized communities, which strongly informs her work today.
“We are pleased to have Dra. Franco share her expertise with our broader community. This work is important and having an open dialogue on how data informed decisions can help all of our students is crucial in higher education.” shared Cristian Mendez Garcia, assistant director of Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives.
Western is a Hispanic Serving Institution, with more than 27 percent of its undergraduate students identifying as Hispanic/Latiné. The goal of hosting these summits is to bring together the university, community, and regional and national partners to discuss what it means to be an HSI, how to collaboratively engage in this work, and why it is critical to the success of students and the greater community.
In addition to a keynote and workshop facilitated by Franco, there will be a student panel, an afternoon of concurrent sessions, and networking time for attendees. Registration is open to everyone through April 10.
This year’s summit is supported by the Oregon Community Foundation (OCF). OCF has supported Western’s HSI Initiatives; both the HSI Summit and the upcoming Leadership Conference for high school students across the region on May 8, 2026. OCF’s Latino Partnership Program centers the voices and experiences of the Latinos/x in their efforts by leaning into the strengths and collective wisdom of our comunidades (communities) across Oregon.
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About Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.