Sustaining and Strengthening STEM Education at CSU HSIs

What does it mean to sustain and strengthen STEM education at Hispanic Serving Institutions during a time of change? In a new conversation with the CSU Student Success Network, Dr. Yolanda Cataño shares the story behind the Transforming STEM Education at CSU HSIs Professional Development Program, a CSU systemwide learning opportunity developed through the STEM NET HSI Hub. Dr. Cataño discusses the importance of preserving and building upon lessons from HSI STEM initiatives and explores servingness, institutional transformation, data and research, and advancing student success in STEM. The 10-week asynchronous program includes five modules and launches during HSI Week on September 14, 2026, and is offered through the CSU Office of the Chancellor. 

Beyond Designation: Thinking Intentionally about Servingness in the CSU

In honor of HSI week and the beginning of Latine Heritage Month, the Network is resharing this 2025 Tips & Strategies by Melinda Mechur Karp, founder of Phase Two Advisory. This Tips & Strategies stems from the Convening, “Beyond Designation: Thinking Intentionally about Servingness in the CSU,” in which participants were asked to think about the strategies, data, and collaboration they can use to make minority-serving institution (MSI) designations more intentional, sustainable, and meaningful. We encourage you to revisit this piece and reflect on how your institution is serving and supporting minoritized students.  

Bridging The Gap: The Decline of Latino/Black Men in Higher Education

For many minoritized groups, attending college remains an unattainable goal, with most wondering if college is still worth the investment. Institutions, such as community colleges, HSIs, and HBCUs, have traditionally focused on and served as accessible pathways for Latino and Black students. In the blog, “Bridging the Gap: The Decline of Latino/Black Men in Higher Education,” Carlos Aguilera, Public Policy Professor, University of Redlands and EPFP alum, reflects on his experience navigating the path to higher education as a first-generation, Latino student. 

Collaborating Across Institutions to Support Justice-Involved Students

In the third blog in the series, Breaunna Alexander, Research Manager, draws on conversations with CSU personnel offering or supporting in-prison bachelor's degree programs to describe efforts to collaborate across institutions. This collaboration is essential to enable the coordination of courses and degree pathways across prisons and postsecondary institutions, and coordination of holistic services and supports. Alignment across programs, collaboration across postsecondary and prison staff, and supports from university programs and community agencies can provide students with the resources, knowledge, and assistance to successfully navigate barriers that could otherwise derail their academic progress.