Being an HSI
The University of Northern Colorado is proud to be a Students First university committed to serving Hispanic, Chicana/o/x, and Latina/o/x students, faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as the local community and our region. We believe that our diversity is our strength and are committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment where all members of our community feel welcome and supported.
As a new Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), we have unique opportunies to make a
difference in the lives of Hispanic and latine-identifying students, and are committed
to providing them with the resources and support they need to succeed academically,
socially and professionally. We also believe that it is important to celebrate Hispanic
culture and heritage on our campus, and offer a variety of programs and events that
highlight the diversity of latine cultures our students and their families bring with
them to UNC.
As a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, UNC will continue its long
tradition of preparing and graduating leaders who serve and enrich Colorado's culture
and economy.
What does 'HSI' Mean to You?
Share your perspective at a listening session with Dr. Whitney Duncan, professor of Anthropology and associate director of Hispanic Serving Institutions.
Student Listening Sessions
Monday, November 18 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., Campus Commons 2300
Wednesday, November 20 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., Campus Commons 2300
Learn more and register here.
Faculty and Staff Listening Sessions
Monday, November 11 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., Campus Commons 2300
Monday, December 2 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., Campus Commons 2300
Learn more and register here.
Apply to UNC
Welcome to Bear Country. ¡Te va a encantar!
Like you, at UNC we believe in investing in a quality education. With more than 100 academic programs, affordable costs, and small classes, UNC can be the smart choice for you!
Apply today and join students like Andrea in take your first step toward your future career.
We approach our work with the following vision elements:
The same vision elements frame UNC's 10-year strategic plan Rowing, Not Drifting 2030.
Students First:
Integrating resources, services and strategies for the benefit of students and demonstrating
accountability to ensuring their success.
Empower Inclusivity:
Providing equal access to opportunities and resources for students who in the past may have otherwise been excluded
or marginalized.
Enhance & Invest:
Purpose driven institutional and philanthropic investment in supporting campus and
programmatic enhancements geared toward student completion and graduation.
Innovate & Create:
Developing an institutional structure focused on building capacity in instruction,
faculty and staff development, inclusive hiring practices and advocacy for equitable policy.
Connect & Celebrate:
Promoting the excellence of our students by intentionally strengthening networks of
alumni, parents and support people and business and community leadership.
Leadership for HSI Initiatives
Rudy Vargas
Director of HSI Initiatives
Javier Vinasco Guzman, Ph.D.
Associate Director of HSI Initiatives
Whitney Duncan, Ph.D.
Associate Director of HSI Initiatives
Mariah Mata
HSI Initiatives Student Coordinator of Events and Programming
Monica Hernandez Jackson
HSI Initiatives Student Coordinator of Campus Engagement
Campus Safety
"I hope that UNC becoming an HSI will make me feel like I'm at home on campus. Where I can hear the sounds of my people, and see the colors of my culture reflected in the very fibers of UNC."
— Brenda Vargas '23, UNC alumna