Working at a HSI

Being Effective in Your Role on an HSI Campus

No matter your personal identity or job title, when you work at an HSI, you have a responsibility to expand efforts to become truly Latinx serving. By doing so, you not only connect your work to the goals of GI 2025 and Transformation 2030, but also enhance the educational and work experience of everyone within our SJSU community. Each of us has multiple opportunities to integrate Somos SJSU into our unit or classroom’s policies and practices, including the following:

1. Take an assets-based approach in your interactions. When you talk with Latinx students, help them identify the strengths, skills, and resources that can support their academic and personal goals. Such an approach helps students feel more empowered and increases their confidence in navigating their academic journey. Community Cultural Wealth is one prominent model for understanding Latinx strengths.

2. Engage in relationship-building. Prioritize relationship-building with Latinx students on an individual level. Take the time to get to know students personally, actively listening to their concerns and aspirations, and providing personalized support and guidance. Building strong relationships based on trust and mutual respect can significantly impact students' engagement, persistence, and success.

3. Integrate culturally relevant programming into academic and co-curricular activities. Faculty members should aim to infuse the curriculum with diverse perspectives and voices, including those of Latinx scholars and authors. Incorporating readings, case studies, and examples that reflect the experiences and contributions of Latinx communities can enhance the relevance and engagement of coursework for Latinx students. Staff members can integrate culturally relevant programming into academic and co-curricular activities. This could involve hosting events, workshops, or guest speakers that address topics relevant to Latinx students' identities, experiences, and interests. Providing opportunities for cultural expression and exploration can enhance engagement and foster a sense of pride and belonging among Latinx students.

4. Celebrate Latinx achievements. Recognize and celebrate the achievements and successes of Latinx students within the university community. For example, you could include highlighting academic accomplishments, leadership roles, or contributions to campus culture. By publicly acknowledging and honoring their achievements, faculty and staff can reinforce a culture of excellence and inspire other Latinx students to strive for success. While September 15 to October 15 is designated as Latinx Heritage Month, it is important to maintain such celebrations year-round.

5. Foster community engagement initiatives. Facilitate partnerships with local Latinx community organizations and leaders to create opportunities for students to engage with and contribute to their communities. For example, you could create service-learning projects, internships, or volunteer opportunities that allow students to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world settings while building connections and networks outside of the university.

Bonus Tip: Attend Somos SJSU workshops. The Somos SJSU team periodically hosts informational and community-building events around campus. Be on the lookout for upcoming events!