Strengthening Partnerships: Saint Mary’s Hosts Virtual ‘Cafecito’ to Bring Together Hispanic-Serving Institutions from Across California

Amidst the excitement of the end of the semester at Saint Mary’s, the College’s HSI Advisory Council hosted a virtual “Cafecito” in partnership with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), bringing together private and independent Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) from across California for a conversation about leadership, collaboration, and the future of HSI work in the state. Held on Monday, May 11, the gathering created space for institutions to connect, share ideas, and think together about how private HSIs can engage more intentionally in statewide efforts tied to student success, workforce development, and educational equity.

Representatives from HACU provided an overview of the California HSI Task Force, sharing updates on advocacy and policy efforts happening across the state, and discussing opportunities for private institutions to participate in coordinated initiatives.

“This convening is a result of the growing recognition in California that Hispanic-Serving Institutions, including private HSIs, are vital to the state’s future,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores. “Sharing strategies and strengthening partnerships coordinates our approach supporting student success, advances our nation’s economy, strengthens the workforce, and expands educational opportunity.”

All of those goals align with Saint Mary’s mission—with expanding educational opportunity being at the heart of Lasallian education. Saint Mary’s has been officially recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution for more than a decade—and SMC is the first college in the Lasallian Association of Colleges and Universities to receive HSI designation. Ultimately, Saint Mary’s endeavors to be a model for other HSIs, particularly private liberal arts institutions and the broader Lasallian network.

Saint Mary’s is the first college in the Lasallian Association of Colleges and Universities to receive HSI designation. Ultimately, Saint Mary’s endeavors to be a model for other HSIs, particularly private liberal arts institutions and the broader Lasallian network. 

“The California HSI designation is an important step, and intentional approach to supporting Hispanic-Serving Institutions and the students they serve,” added Flores.

Participating institutions that Saint Mary’s co-hosted in the virtual meeting included Azusa Pacific University, California Lutheran University, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Dominican University of California, Loyola Marymount University, Menlo College, National University, Notre Dame de Namur University, Pacific Oaks College & Children’s School, University of Redlands, University of San Francisco, University of the Pacific, and Whittier College.

Shaping Conversations at the State and National Levels

For Saint Mary’s, the event reflects a broader effort to build meaningful relationships and ensure the College has a voice in conversations shaping HSI work at the state and national levels. “This is an important moment for Saint Mary’s,” said Professor María Luisa Ruiz, who serves as Academic Equity Officer and Director of the HSI Advisory Council. “As both an HSI and a Lasallian institution, we are well positioned to be at the forefront of conversations about what HSI work can look like within private, mission-driven colleges and universities. There is meaningful work happening across California, and Saint Mary’s has the opportunity to help shape those conversations while remaining grounded in our Lasallian commitment to community, access, and student success.”

The relationship between Saint Mary’s and HACU has been intentional and steadily growing. Part of that connection comes through the participation of Professor Ruiz in HACU’s Academia de Liderazgo fellowship program, a national leadership initiative that brings together higher education leaders committed to advancing opportunities for Latino and historically underserved students.

Ruiz was named a fellow in the program in 2025, recognizing her leadership in diversity, equity, inclusion, and HSI initiatives at Saint Mary’s. The fellowship strengthens connections between Saint Mary’s and a broader network of HSI leaders and institutions across the country.

The virtual Cafecito also highlights the ongoing work of the Saint Mary’s HSI Advisory Council, which plays a central role in helping coordinate the College’s HSI efforts and in building campus and external partnerships connected to this work.

Professor Myrna Santiago, Director of Women’s and Gender Studies and member of the HSI Advisory Council, emphasized the broader significance of the collaboration. “The HACU/SMC partnership is a great opportunity to achieve several objectives at once, such as putting Saint Mary’s on the map as a leader among Catholic schools on HSI matters, putting our local HSI council work in conversation with national organizations that care about the future of education for Latinx students, and helping us think collectively about how to support our students’ success.”

As Saint Mary’s continues to deepen its identity as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, the event represents another step in building partnerships, expanding the College’s presence in statewide conversations, and contributing to the future of HSI work in California.