Monday-Thursday: HSI Week Activities 

Friday: HSI Summit

Download our online program which contains additional information about our event. 

 Accommodations

The morning in person session and Zoom Webinars will have ASL Interpreters and live captioning.

If you would like to request disability-related accommodation(s) to participate in a WOU activity or event, please complete the online request form at least three (3) business days in advance. If you have questions, contact Disability Access Services (DAS) at 503-838-8250 or das@wou.edu.

Dr. Gina Ann Garcia is a professor in the School of Education at UC Berkeley. Her research centers on issues of equity and justice in higher education with an emphasis on understanding how Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) embrace and enact an organizational identity for serving minoritized populations. She explores the experiences of administrators, faculty, and staff at HSIs and the outcomes of students attending these institutions. As an equity-minded scholar, she tends to the ways that race and racism have shaped institutions of higher education.

Dr. Garcia is the author of Becoming Hispanic-Serving Institutions: Opportunities for Colleges & Universities for which she won the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education Book of the Year Award in 2020 and the editor of the book Hispanic-Serving Institutions in Practice: Defining “Servingness” at HSIs. Her newest book, Transforming Hispanic Serving Institutions for Equity and Justice was released in Spring 2023 and is now available.

She has delivered over 150 public lectures and workshops across the country and consults directly with HSIs to work towards organizational transformation. She is also the host of the popular podcast ¿Qué pasa, HSIs? and founded the Cal HSI Center which advances HSI research that informs practice and policy.

Dr. Garcia graduated from California State University, Northridge with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, the University of Maryland, College Park with a master’s degree in college student personnel, and the University of California, Los Angeles with a Ph.D. in higher education and organizational change. She is a proud alumna of a HSI and was a Title V Coordinator at Cal State University, Fullerton which drives and motivates her research and praxis.

Independence Hotel

The Independence Hotel is located just three miles east of campus in downtown Independence. 

WOU has a negotiated room rate of $139 (not including state and local taxes). This rate is for base tier rooms (Deluxe King or Deluxe 2 Queens). HSI Summit presenters and attendees may have their reservations prorated at this rate. To reserve using the WOU rate call the hotel directly at (503) 837-0200 and ask for the Hispanic Serving Institution Summit group rate, or use this booking link. Reservations must be made no later than April 10, 2025, to use the WOU rate. The WOU rate is subject to room availability, Independence Hotel rules and policies, and not guaranteed. It is highly recommended lodging reservations be made well in advance.

Address: 201 Osprey Ave, Independence, OR

Tel: (503) 837-0200, Email: info@theindependencehotel.com

MaMere’s Guest House

MaMere’s Guest House is located one block away from the campus and offers a bed and breakfast style lodging. 

WOU has negotiated 20% off room rates (not including state and local taxes). HSI Summit presenters and attendees please use promo code WOUSUMMIT when booking a room. The special HSI Summit rate is applicable for April 14-21, 2025 and is good for any of their rooms. Reservations must be made no later than April 10, 2025, to use the promo code. The WOU rate is subject to room availability, MaMere’s Guest House rules and policies, and not guaranteed. It is highly recommended lodging reservations be made well in advance.

Address: 212 Knox St N, Monmouth, OR 97361

Tel: 503-917-8745, Email: mameresguesthouse@gmail.com

Additional local lodging is available throughout Monmouth, Dallas, Corvallis, and Salem, OR.

Free on-site parking is available at Lot G (corner of Stadium Dr and Church St), which is a short five minute walk east to the Werner University Center.

WOU Campus Parking Map

The campus of Western Oregon University is located at 345 Monmouth Ave N, Monmouth, OR 97301. 

Campus Map

Directions

Background and Purpose

On April 1, 2022, Western Oregon University hosted its first Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Summit. We brought together a collection of campus, community, and national partners to discuss what it means to become a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). The success and community building of that first summit encouraged Western’s second and third summit which was held on April 26, 2024 where we had increased participation from university, state, and community partners. We are committed to engaging in this work with our entire community as Western continues to emerge as an HSI and focus on truly serving our students. We are stronger together. 

2025 HSI Summit Working Group

Maria Fernandez, Deputy Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion  | The Research Institute

Brittany Kima, Assistant Director – Public Information Officer/Social Media Manager | Marketing and Communication

Erin Lieuallen, Assistant Director Experiential Learning | Center for Professional Pathways

Cristian Mendez Garcia, Assistant Director of Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives | Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Blanca Miranda Aguilar, Assistant Director | Multicultural Student Services

Ricardo Pelegrin Taboada, Ethnic Studies Programs Coordinator and Advisor | NTT Visiting Assistant Professor, History

Halley Read, Assistant Professor of OT | Occupational Therapy

Dominique Vargas, Executive Director | Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

2025 HSI Summit Student Staff

TBA