Advocacy

91暗网

As part of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) 26^th听Annual National Capitol Forum on Hispanic Higher Education, members of 91暗网 along with the President of Adams State University,听met with 8 members of Colorado鈥檚 delegation 鈥� Representatives DeGette, Crow, Lamborn, Perlmutter, Buck, Neguse, Boebert, and Senator Bennet.

HACU provided members with the following four asks which allowed members of 91暗网 the opportunity to highlight 91暗网 and the types of programs we offer our students (see programs below).

Equitable Funding for Hispanic-Serving Institutions听
Hispanic Educational Resources and Empowerment (HERE) Act
Capital Financing Bill听
Immigration Reform听

First-Generation Initiatives Program

Look at our programs in action with the story of Est茅fani Pe帽a Figueroa at the bottom.

At 91暗网, 59.7% of undergraduates are the first in their families to pursue a 4-year college education. First-Generation Initiatives exists to encourage and empower the Roadrunner community to embrace and celebrate these students.

As part of 91暗网鈥檚鈥疌lassroom to Career Hub鈥�(C2Hub), First-Generation Initiatives exists help first-generation students build a strong sense of community, navigate campus resources, and access the tools that will help them find success throughout their journey as students at 91暗网, and as future professionals in the careers they are interested in pursuing.

To learn more click on the link and see our equity-centered work, and how we’re leading in our state and across the nation.

Est茅fani Pe帽a Figueroa Health Care Management

Pe帽a Figueroa,听a student with DACA protection, graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver this month with a degree in healthcare management. Her younger sister is graduating from Denver鈥檚 DSST: College View High School.

But because the coronavirus pandemic upended academic life and put a halt to large gatherings, there has been no pomp, no circumstance, and no graduation stage to complete the Figueroa’s鈥� educational odyssey.

Many Colorado academic institutions canceled or postponed their graduation ceremonies to reduce the spread of the highly contagious new coronavirus. For first-generation college students such as Pe帽a Figueroa 鈥� the first person in her family to earn a college degree 鈥� the dissolution of a graduation ceremony felt especially stinging. 鈥淚 really wanted to go to school since I was little, but the education in Guatemala was so expensive and not the best opportunity,鈥� Pe帽a Figueroa said, her voice cracking. 鈥淎lthough my mother didn鈥檛 really know how to read back then, she would always try to read to me and always tell me 鈥� sorry I get so emotional 鈥� she would always tell me about the importance of going to school and going to college. My parents decided to give my little sister and me a better future.鈥�

By Elizabeth Hernandez,听The Denver Post

Read the rest of the article听.

Gender Institute for Teaching and Advocacy (GITA)

The Gender Institute for Teaching and Advocacy (GITA) creates space for oppressed groups to build community, organize for liberation, and engage in self-care.听 Additionally, GITA reaches students by teaching critical analysis, communication, and organizing skills so that students feel empowered to work against the systems of oppression in their lives and communities.听 GITA’s values include intersectional feminism, activism, access, community, and learning.

GITA is comprised of two major arms鈥攖he Gender and Women Studies department and GITA student support services.

The Gender and Women Studies dept offers one major in GWS studies, two minors in Gender and Sexuality Studies, and 1-2 credit fast-paced courses on career and personal development.听 GITA program administrators actively assist students, faculty, and staff who are facing harassment and/or discrimination on campus.

GITA support services offer a range of support including a one-snack stop for students experiencing food instability, as well as dedicated lactation stations, wellness/quiet rooms.听 GITA offers scholarship services to educate students on this process, 2 grants for students who are above 60 credits hours or who would like to attend a conference.

Year-round events and programs that are student-centered and student-led.听 Training and education are available on topics including systemic oppression, LGBTQ inclusion, conflict resolution, anti-racism, etc.

A community space for students to gather and relax, study, do homework and build community.听 This space also serves as a meeting space for student organizations and groups coordinating programming that promotes diversity across campus.听 Emphasis is placed on issues and concerns of underrepresented populations.

Co-author of the BIPOC Safer Spaces Resolution (), GITA Hold of Yourself official podcast (student-curated and led) (), and DEI advocacy and service at 91暗网.

Eneri “Netty”听Rodriguez Arauz

Associate Director

303-615-2036

[email protected]

To learn more about our phenomenal work!