("The Gifts of Mayahuel" by Alison Zapata)
At UC Santa Barbara, we are proud to have secured several competitive grants aimed at fostering the success and well-being of our Latiné and underrepresented students. These grants support initiatives and programs that enhance academic achievement, promote a sense of belonging, and provide resources to help Latiné and underrepresented students thrive during their time at UCSB.
Securing these grants has been a collaborative effort, reflecting the dedication and shared vision of faculty, staff, and campus partners working together to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for our students.
A-CAUSE (Academy for Community, Action, and Use-Inspired Scholarship and Education)
Funded by a Department of Education Title V HSI grant, A-CAUSE aims to transform structures and processes on the campus in significant ways to serve Latiné and other low-income students. A-CAUSE engages in research, scholarship, and creative inquiry (RSCI) – characterized by authentic scientific, scholarly, and creative discovery. Participating in undergraduate RSCI and related internships is known to increase student retention rates, feelings of campus belonging, and overall student success. A-CAUSE focuses on research training and experiences of undergraduates in the Social Sciences, Humanities, and Fine Arts, as well as Education through a summer institute, research workshops, and paired research opportunities with faculty teams.
To learn more visit A-CAUSE website
Location: North Hall 2219
CEES (Center for Equitable Environmental Sciences)
A program that encourages STEM majors from first-generation and minoritized backgrounds to pursue environmental justice internships and careers. This program was funded by a Hispanic-Serving Institute - National Science Foundation (HSI-NSF) grant. In partnership with UCSB's Career Services, CEES established the "Environment and Society" career track and works with a specific career counselor dedicated to environmental-related careers and internships. CEES also facilitates a mentorship program between first and second-year undergraduates in STEM with senior students.
To learn more visit CEES website
Location: South Hall 4509
EAEM (Equitable Agriculture and Environmental Management)
In partnership with the University of Arizona, a fellow Hispanic-Serving Institution, EAEM works towards building sustainability and justice concerns into STEM education in agriculture with a specific focus on recruiting, retaining, and supporting underrepresented (UR) students. The two-year program emphasizes environmental justice as a starting point and provides career-relevant skills and internships. This comprehensive program includes summer coursework, career development, learning communities, and internships for undergraduate students and support for graduate students from underrepresented backgrounds pursuing Master's or Ph.D. degrees. EAEM is funded by an HSI grant by the US Department of Agriculture.
To learn more visit EAEM website
ÉXITO (Educational eXcellence and Inclusion Training Opportunities)
The first program of its kind in the UC system, ÉXITO provides a clearly structured pathway for UCSB students to become certified Ethnic Studies teachers. The program offers a “4+1” program in which UCSB students graduate with a bachelor’s degree in an ethnic studies or feminist studies major, then earn a master’s and a teaching credential at the Gevirtz School's Teacher Education Program. Funded by a Department of Education Title V HSI grant, ÉXITO places aspiring ethnic studies teachers in high school ethnic studies classes and academically prepares them to excel in graduate school.
To learn more visit ÉXITO website
FUERTE (Field-based Undergraduate Engagement through Research, Teaching, and Education)
A program designed to build students’ foundations to succeed at the university, and to develop the skills they need for a career in conservation and environmental sciences. Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), FUERTE is meant to welcome and support students who are traditionally underrepresented in environmental sciences, especially Latiné, Indigenous, Black, and first-generation undergraduates. Fieldwork is often viewed as an essential yet financially difficult experience, FUERTE ensures that this opportunity is made possible for minoritized students.
To learn more visit FUERTE website
INSPIRE (Integrated Networking, Scholarship, and Peer Interaction for First-Year Engineers)
A program for high-achieving first-year majors in the College of Engineering, and is designed with a focus on students from low-income families and/or are first-generation college students. Incoming students transition to UCSB with a designated peer mentor, and participate in research seminars, as well as social activities. INSPIRE provides a structured, holistic, and academic program of support for first-year students.
To learn more visit INSPIRE website
ONDAS (Opening New Doors to Accelerating Student Success)
The ONDAS Student Center (OSC) was originally funded by a U.S. Department of Education Title V HSI grant and now operates as a campus-funded unit. ONDAS functions as a student center that promotes the success and retention of first-generation college students with an emphasis on the first-year transition and underrepresented student experience. The Center provides mentoring and academic support in a learning-centered space for students to connect with faculty, staff, and peers in order to grow personally and excel academically. In practice, they also offer lunches for commuter students, host small group dinners with faculty, sponsor financial workshops, host office hours and study groups, and have championed a “First Gen” campaign on our campus.
To learn more visit ONDAS website
Location: Kerr Hall 1150
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