Centering Hispanic-Serving Institutions’ strategies to develop talent in computing fields

Abstract

Hispanics have become the largest ethnic minority in the US Better serving Hispanics to succeed in tertiary education and scientific fields like computing is critical to build equitable life opportunities and strengthen the US workforce. Typically, the most selective postsecondary institutions are emphasized as exemplary models for developing human capital in the US. Yet, due to the nation's tertiary education institutional stratification, relatively low numbers of Hispanics are enrolled in these institutions. We examine how Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), federally designated institutions in the US that enroll at least 25% Hispanics, develop strategies to raise Hispanic attainment in computing fields. Specifically, we explore the activities of HSIs in the Computing Alliance for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (CAHSI), a network of over 60 HSIs and other stakeholders that are committed to raising Hispanic attainment in postsecondary computing. We address the question: How do HSIs in CAHSI employ strategies to develop talent in computing among Hispanics? Specifically, we examine how CAHSI institutions apply values that are grounded in Hispanic communities, including emphases on confianza, respeto, and familia, to support Hispanic students in computer science. Our findings indicate the importance of centering Hispanic cultural assets to improve Hispanic success in computing.

An actionable anti-racism plan for geoscience organizations

“…Organizations can lead by requiring and disseminating best practices that make all programs safe for, and accessible to, everyone (ACTION #7). This requirement includes incorporating anti-racism into all spaces where geoscience happens 23 -in the field, in laboratories, virtually, at events and in classrooms-by encouraging the reevaluation of training requirements for learners and aspiring geoscientists, and invest in spaces like HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) 24 , TCUs (Tribal Colleges and Universities), and HSIs (Hispanic Serving Institutions) 25 , that serve BIPOC and other marginalized geoscientists (ACTION #8). In this effort, scientific societies, DEI non-profit organizations, and funding agencies can individually, or in partnerships, leverage their influence to incentivize, encourage, and induce academic institutions, departments, research labs, and field stations and camps within their disciplines to adopt norms and practices that foster inclusion, collaboration with, and the safety of minoritized individuals.…”

Examining Organizational Behavior of Hispanic-Serving Institution Computer Science Departments: Toward Servingness and Equity in the Field

“…The CAHSI network has also committed to the goal of increasing the share of all U.S. computer science credential earners who are Latinx to 20% by the year 2030 (Villa et al, 2019). As the recipients of a large-scale NSF grant to scale and spread their strategies to a wider array of HSIs, CAHSI members work with other higher education institutions, industry partners, non-profits, and funding agencies such as NSF to build capacity for Latinx and other minoritized student opportunities to succeed in the discipline (Núñez et al, 2021;Villa et al, 2019).…”

“…These external influences include state legislators (e.g., Carales and Doran, 2020), federal agencies such as the NSF or the U.S. Department of Education (both of which administer specific HSI programs), alumni, boards of trustees, and community leaders (García et al, 2019, p. 771). In one example of managing such external influences, CAHSI members across the country came together to generate recommendations for the NSF to improve support for the research efforts of HSIs [American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), 2020; Núñez et al, 2021]. Subsequently, CAHSI leaders organized efforts for HSI computer science scholars to develop their grant writing capabilities, in an effort to strengthen the departments' capacities to garner external funding from the agency.…”

“…To be responsive to student needs, these institutions will have to adjust their educational models in more culturally relevant directions to promote student success (Marin, 2019). It is critical that these institutions and others employ culturally relevant conceptual frameworks and practical strategies grounded in research about the very institutional contexts that have been especially successful in serving large numbers of Latinx and other racially minoritized students: MSIs and HSIs (Malcom-Piqueux, 2020;McGee, 2020a,b;NASEM, 2019;Núñez et al, 2021). Examining how HSIs enact organizational behavior to promote Latinx and minoritized student success has significant potential to advance new ways of thinking about and practicing equity in science.…”

Leadership So White: Working Toward Equitable Representation of Latinx Leadership at Hispanic-Serving Institutions

“…She practiced and affirmed cultural values of familismo and communidad. She knew building confianza was key (Núñez et al, 2021). Ximena placed great emphasis on staff professional development and coaching.…”