Western Oregon University will host its 4th annual Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Summit on April 18, 2025.
The Summit will be held in the Western Oregon University, Werner University Center with some sessions available via Zoom.
This year’s HSI Summit will center on transforming institutions. We are honored to welcome Dra. Gina Garcia as our keynote speaker. A leading public scholar, Dra. Garcia advocates passionately for Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) and is dedicated to challenging the traditional models of postsecondary education. Her work focuses on reshaping HSIs and other colleges and universities that serve the most diverse student populations. In addition to Dra. Garcia’s keynote, the Summit will feature a variety of concurrent sessions, ample networking opportunities, and much more.
Please email hsisummit@wou.edu if you have any questions about this year’s summit.
Keynote speaker: Dra. Gina Ann Garcia
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.
HSI Summit Week
Monday-Thursday
Time |
Activity |
| Monday, April 14 from 12:00pm – 1:00pm | Presentation: Victor Ochoa |
| Tuesday, April 15 from 11:00pm – 3:00pm | Table Day held at the Grove |
| Wednesday, April 16 from 12:00pm – 1:00pm | Presentation: Cristina Herrera |
| Thursday, April 17 from 1:00pm – 2:00pm | Table Day held at Werner University Center |
Friday
Time |
Activity |
| 8:00 am – 8:50 am | Check-in, coffee, light breakfast snacks, & networking |
| 9:00 am – 9:15 am | Introduction |
| 9:15 am – 10:15 am | Keynote Presentation: Dra. Gina Garcia |
| 10:15 am – 10:25 am | Break |
| 10:25 am – 11:00 am | Student Panel Led by Dra. Gina Garcia |
| 11:10 am – 12:10 pm | Dra. Gina Garcia Workshop |
| 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm | Lunch + Entertianment: Los Lobos Mariachi |
| 1:30 pm – 2:20 pm | Concurrent Sessions |
| 2:30 pm – 3:20 pm | Concurrent Sessions |
| 3:30 pm – 4:00 pm | Closing Sessions |
| 4:00 pm | Networking & Wrap-up |
Lodging
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.
Parking
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.
Campus Map & Directions
The campus of Western Oregon University is located at 345 Monmouth Ave N, Monmouth, OR 97301.
About
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, Program Advisor and Coordinator | 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
Sponsor
On behalf of the HSI Summit committee, we would like to give a special thank you to our sponsors for their major support of the annual Summit. The continued success of our programs relies on the generosity of corporate sponsors, foundations, individuals, and contributors.
Our Key sponsor for this event is the Oregon Community Foundation (OCF)
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.
