HSI Summit Schedule

HSI Summit Program (PDF)

Keynote Biography

Jennifer Gomez-Chávez serves as the Vice President for Institutional Engagement for Excelencia in Education.  In her role, she supports the advancement of institutional transformation to intentionally serve Latino students through engaging with institutions and their leaders to connect them to Excelencia’s programs, services, resources and research. She facilitates a network of affiliates through outreach strategies, engaging them in learning communities, keeping them informed about policy issues, and ensuring that they receive support to advance their efforts. Portfolio includes: Presidents for Latino Student Success, Affiliate Engagement in the network, Policy, Liaison for Institutional programs and practitioners, and Liaison for Emerging HSIs.

Jennifer is a native New Mexican born and raised in Hagerman, a small rural farming community. Jennifer has 30 years of experience working with low-income, and students from underrepresented backgrounds through her positions with the LULAC National Educational Service Center and the University of New Mexico (UNM) in Albuquerque. She holds a B.A. in Criminal Justice, a Master’s in Counseling, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Jennifer retired from the University of New Mexico where she spent 27 years in various roles that include: Special Assistant to the Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at UNM Health Sciences Center and main campus, Executive Director of the Unidos Project, Central Region Director for ENLACE New Mexico, Director of Collective Impact Initiatives and an adjunct faculty member. She led the first Title V grant at UNM main campus and was named as the inaugural Director of Student Success for the university.

Independence Hotel

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

WOU has a negotiated room rate of $129 (not including state and local taxes). This rate is for base tier rooms (Deluxe King or Deluxe 2 Queens). HSI Summit attendees may have their reservations prorated at this rate. Please notify Emmanuel Macías (maciase@wou.edu), no later than April 7, 2023, with your reservation confirmation number and contact information. WOU will notify the Independence Hotel that you are a guest of the University; they will prorate your reservation to WOU’s rate. 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 attendees may have their reservations prorated at this rate. Please notify Emmanuel Macías (maciase@wou.edu), no later than April 7, 2023, with your reservation confirmation number and contact information. WOU will notify MaMere’s Guest House that you are a guest of the University; they will prorate your reservation to WOU’s rate. 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 Parking Lot Map

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

Campus Map

Campus Map (PDF)

Directions

WOU encourages the campus community to be up to date on the County COVID-19 levels. While masks are always welcome at WOU, masks are highly recommended when COVID-19 community level is medium or high. At this time, Polk County is considered low community level.

For additional information about COVID-19 guidelines and policies at WOU, visit https://wou.edu/coronavirus/.

Background and Purpose

On April 1, 2022, the WOU HSI Summit was held to bring together campus, community, and national partners to discuss what it means to become a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Three primary goals lead the planning and implementation of the day-long event. 

These were: 

1. To develop a shared understanding of what it means to not just become a federally-recognized Hispanic Serving Institution, but to become a Hispanic SUCCESS Institution.
2. To provide opportunities for both our campus community and our external partners to share their perspectives and ideas as to how WOU should proceed in our efforts to become a Hispanic SUCCESS Institution.
3. To develop and strengthen our network of individuals and organizations that are committed to WOU becoming an HSI, and to develop and strengthen the relationships that network is built upon.

2023 HSI Summit Working Group

Chelle Batchelor, Dean of Library and Academic Innovation | Hamersly Library

Doris Cancel-Tirado, Professor | Division of Health and Exercise Science

Luanne Carrillo-Avalos, Interim Director | Multicultural Student Services & Programs

Sarah Lockwood, Facilities Scheduling Manager | Student Engagement

Anna Hernandez-Hunter, Interim Director | Office of Admissions

Emmanuel Macías, Executive Assistant | Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs

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

2023 HSI Summit Student Staff

Jessica Garibay Ochoa, WOU Student

Alessandra Cervantes Ramirez, WOU Student

Litzy Ku Beiza, WOU Student

Mary Ayala-Velazquez, WOU Student