Championing Latino Student Success at SBVC

San Bernardino Valley College proudly holds the designation of a federally recognized Hispanic Serving Institution - and reaffirms its commitment to empowering Latinx students through equity, support, and excellence.

HSI Taskforce

SBVC HSI Task Force

Mission Statement

To collaboratively uplift and empower our Hispanic, Latina/o/x/e, and Chicana/o/x/e student communities at SBVC by developing intentional, equity-driven, and data-informed recommendations that strengthen student success, belonging, cultural pride, and leadership—while advancing the college’s HSI identity and commitment to diversity, inclusive excellence, and anti-racism.

 

Vision Statement

To be a model Hispanic-Serving Institution that actively demonstrates what it means to truly serve—uplifting and empowering our Hispanic, Latina/o/x/e, and Chicana/o/x/e students by expanding opportunities for success, creating spaces where each person’s unique sense of belonging is honored, and building cultural community traditions that enrich the college. We will own and celebrate our spaces, welcome students as their authentic selves, and foster pathways where they thrive academically, personally, and culturally.

HSI Taskforce Timeline of Key Milestones (Spring–Fall 2025)

May 15, 2025 – HSI Taskforce Kickoff Meeting

Initial convening of the Taskforce to introduce its purpose, establish priorities, and begin collective planning for SBVC’s HSI transformation efforts.

June 26, 2025 – Consultation with Dr. Gina Ann Garcia

National HSI scholar Dr. Gina Ann Garcia met with the Taskforce to provide foundational expertise, guidance, and a framework for institutional transformation.

August 13, 2025 – Mission & Vision Development Meeting

Dedicated session focused on drafting and refining the Taskforce’s mission and vision statements to guide long-term strategy and decision-making.

August 15, 2025 – COLEGAS Conference Delegation Finalized

Taskforce finalized the list of members attending the 2025 COLEGAS Conference to represent SBVC and return with actionable strategies and insights.

August 21, 2025 – Convocation Week Presentation

Taskforce presented progress updates, goals, and opportunities for faculty engagement during Convocation Week.

August 22, 2025 – Opening Day Campus Update

Shared a campus-wide update highlighting HSI priorities and reinforcing SBVC’s institutional commitment to serving and empowering Latina/o/x students.

September 3, 2025 – Launch of HSI Taskforce Webpage

Established a dedicated HSI webpage to share the mission, vision, updates, resources, and engagement opportunities with the campus community.

September 16, 2025 – First Official Fall Semester Taskforce Meeting

Focused on developing intentional recommendations, refining mission and vision language, and formalizing key action items.

October 14, 2025 – HSI Framework Session #1 with Dr. Gina Ann Garcia

Sixth overall Taskforce session. Focused on Transforming HSIs for Equity, Justice, and Liberation, grounded in Dr. Garcia’s book Transforming HSIs. The Taskforce engaged deeply with equity-centered institutional transformation frameworks.

November 12–15, 2025 – 2025 COLEGAS Conference Participation

Several Taskforce members attended the COLEGAS Conference to cultivate and advance courageous, liberatory leadership within our comunidad Latina. Members networked with peer HSIs, explored best practices, and learned from other institutions’ HSI journeys.

November 18, 2025 – HSI Framework Session #2 with Dr. Gina Ann Garcia

Session focused on committing to mission, identity, and strategic purpose as an HSI institution.

December 9, 2025 – HSI Framework Session #3 with Dr. Gina Ann Garcia

Focused on developing institutional infrastructure and identifying core challenges the Taskforce seeks to address through formal recommendations.

January 20, 2026 – Spring Semester Relaunch & Campus Engagement

The Taskforce reconvened following winter break. • Puente Program presented program needs and priorities. • Announced distribution of a campus-wide feedback form to gather input from the broader college community.

February 3, 2026 – HSI Framework Session #4 with Dr. Gina Ann Garcia

Focused on extending and deepening membership work by establishing subgroups aligned with the Taskforce’s four strategic focus areas to develop formal recommendations.

Learn More

A Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) is defined under U.S. federal law as an accredited, non‑profit college or university where at least 25% of undergraduate full‑time equivalent students identify as Hispanic or Latino, and a substantial portion of the student body comes from low‑income backgrounds.

HSI designation opens eligibility for Title V / Developing HSI federal grants, which support academic programs, faculty development, student support, and institutional capacity, all aimed at improving outcomes for Latino and low-income students

Since meeting the HSI criteria, including over 66.9% Hispanic/Latinx student enrollment and a major portion from low-income households, SBVC has been officially designated as an HSI by the U.S. Department of Education and recognized by HACU.

This designation helps SBVC:

  • Secure federal grant funding for academic and support services

  • Strengthen student retention, transfer, and graduation pathways

  • Build culturally responsive services and curriculum that support Latino student success

  • Reinforce SBVC’s identity as a reflection of its diverse community

SBVC actively uses HSI resources in initiatives like:

HSI status acknowledges and elevates SBVC’s commitment to:

  • Enhancing equity by closing opportunity gaps for Latino and low-income students

  • Offering targeted support resources that benefit all students including STEM mentoring, first‑generation advising, and family outreach

  • Strengthening partnerships with regional institutions like CSUSB to support student transfer and success in four‑year degrees

  • Celebrating Latinx heritage and reinforcing inclusive campus culture

In California and the Inland Empire - home to many HSIs - this work is essential in addressing longstanding disparities in educational access and achievement.

SBVC continues to expand and refine its HSI-driven work through:

  • Annual self-evaluations aligned with Title V/outcomes-based metrics

  • Developing new grant proposals and renewing existing grants

  • Increasing outreach to prospective Latinx students and caregiving families

  • Partnering with campus units to integrate cultural responsiveness across instruction, support, and leadership

Questions? Want to get involved?

Uvaldo Sifuentes
Dr. Irene Sanchez