Contact: Diana Ortiz Giron

805-756-2250; [email protected]

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly's Office of University Diversity and Inclusion (OUDI) will host ¡Adelante! the inaugural Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Symposium: Pathway to Becoming an HSI on Tuesday, Oct. 17, with a closing keynote provided by Dolores Huerta. This immersive day promises to explore the intentional journey towards becoming an HSI-designated university and the integral role it plays in Cal Poly's mission.

The day will include a welcome address from Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong and OUDI leadership, followed by an HSI Task Force panel discussion featuring faculty, staff and student leaders. At lunchtime, a resource fair highlighting Latinx-centered campus resources will be hosted in the University Union Plaza, alongside cultural food and mariachi music. In the afternoon, two topic-based workshops will be offered for an opportunity for further engagement. The event will close with a keynote by civil rights icon and activist Dolores Huerta.

¡Adelante! Which translates to "forward" in Spanish, encapsulates the spirit of this symposium, which aims to honor the past, celebrate the present and envision a future filled with momentum and progress as Cal Poly works towards becoming an HSI that holistically serves and empowers the Latinx/e community.

The HSI designation is given to colleges and universities that have a Hispanic/Latinx/Latine enrollment of at least 25%. Currently 48% of all higher education institutions in California meet HSI designation. This designation brings with it additional funding opportunities that can be used to holistically support Latinx/e students throughout their college experience. In 2022 Cal Poly’s Latinx/e population was 21.1%, and the university is moving closer to its goal with 24% of 2022 admits identifying as Latinx/e. Cal Poly continues to see a steady growth in Latinx/e enrollment and in 2022 the number of enrolled students of color increased by 8.7% with Latinx/e student enrollment leading the way.

Denise Isom, interim vice president for diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer, said, “we, as an entire campus community, must vision together, strive together with purpose and seek to become an HSI not simply through demographics, but by centering service, belonging and assuring equitable access to all Cal Poly has to offer."

Dolores Huerta, the globally celebrated Latina labor leader, activist and community organizer, will be the keynote speaker for the symposium. Huerta’s exceptional journey and dedication to social justice have inspired countless individuals around the world. Huerta will share her insights and experiences advocating for immigrants' rights, workers' rights, women's rights, reproductive freedom and LGBTQ+ civil rights.

Huerta is the president and founder of the Dolores Huerta Foundation. Her lifelong journey has been working as a community organizer and social justice activist for over 50 years. She continues working to develop community leaders to advocate for the working poor, immigrants, women and youth through her work with the Dolores Huerta Foundation. Huerta is a two-time U.S. Presidential Award Recipient; she received the Medal of Freedom Award from President Barack Obama in 2012, the highest civilian award in the United States, and the Eleanor D. Roosevelt Human Rights Award from President Bill Clinton in 1998.

In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, this event will culminate the month’s festivities celebrating the strength, beauty, diversity and history within the Latinx/e community.

The event is free to attend but registration is required. Visit diversity.calpoly.edu/adelante to register and find full schedule of events.