In late October 2026, the University of Oregon will host a two-day symposium exploring what it would take for UO to become a thriving Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). Through keynote talks, facilitated discussions, and collaborative workshops, the symposium will create space for campus and community partners to learn from invited speakers from established HSIs, examine promising practices from peer institutions, and begin shaping a more intentional and equity-driven path forward.
Convened by university leaders and campus partners, the symposium will bring together students, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, local schools and community colleges, and community organizations for conversations centered on Latinx student success, institutional change, community partnerships, and the evolving role of higher education in serving historically underserved communities.
The symposium is designed to help build a stronger campus-wide network of partners committed to advancing the University of Oregon’s capacity to support Latinx students and communities in meaningful, lasting ways. Discussions will also explore the broader context of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and what it means to move beyond designation toward a more transformative and student-centered vision.
“This symposium is about more than simply affirming UO’s values. It’s about doing the real work of building the knowledge, partnerships, and resources needed to better support one of the fastest-growing student populations in higher education,” said Dr. Christopher Chávez, Director of the Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies (CLLAS) at the University of Oregon. “We want to bring people together across our campus, community, and beyond to think seriously about how the University of Oregon can better support the experiences, aspirations, and futures of Latinx students and their families.”
Symposium Focus
- What it means to be a thriving Latinx-serving institution
- The current state of HSI development and policy
- Latinx student access, opportunity, and success
- Campus culture, climate, and belonging
- Graduate education and support systems
- Community engagement and strategic partnerships
- Institutional capacity-building and long-term change
Who Will Participate
The event will bring together internal university stakeholders, including representatives from the Office of the Provost, Division of Equity and Inclusion, Student Life, Enrollment, Advising, CLLAS, Latinx Studies, Latinx faculty, graduate student employees, student government, and student organizations.
The symposium will also engage external stakeholders, including alumni, local school districts, community organizations, and higher education partners across Oregon and beyond who are committed to advancing Latinx student success and institutional equity.
Program Highlights
The two-day symposium will include opening remarks, invited speakers, institutional and state context, student-centered conversations, and facilitated workshops designed to help participants identify concrete next steps toward positioning the University of Oregon as a thriving Hispanic-Serving Institution.
Organizers are currently developing the full program and exploring participation from leading scholars and practitioners whose work focuses on HSIs, Latinx student success, and institutional transformation.
More Information
Additional details, including the official symposium title, event schedule, speakers, and registration information, will be announced in the coming months.
For questions, please contact cllas@uoregon.edu.