COSTA MESA, Calif. ― A three-day leadership symposium for the National Community College Hispanic Council (NCCHC) that concluded over the weekend focused on addressing institutional strategies that impact the success of Latinx students.
As an affiliate council of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), more than 200 NCCHC members gathered for the 21st year to discuss issues that included student affairs leadership, leveraging resources for foster care and homeless students, and access to higher education for undocumented students. Presidents, administrators, faculty and students were among the participants that celebrated the conference’s theme, A New Day for Latinos in Community Colleges.
“We wanted to bring together leaders and aspiring leaders to discuss the latest education research and best practices to serve Latino students since the demographic is growing in community colleges nationwide,” said Maria Harper-Marinick, chancellor of the Maricopa Community College District and NCCHC president. “For the majority of Latinos in the United States, the academic journey begins at the community college so it is a new day for us, and it is our responsibility as leaders to make sure they feel welcome and provide a culturally competent environment.”
As an NCCHC board member and assistant professor at California State University ― Fresno, Ignacio Hernández Jr. understands the necessity of diversity and equity beyond the student body at community colleges.
“Leadership composition among faculty, administrators and trustees is just as important,” he said. “In addition to hosting professional development opportunities for community college leadership, the NCCHC symposium provides a space where Latino faculty and administrators can feel supported just like the students we serve.”
With a renewed focus on community college student success, accountability and outcomes in community colleges, the NCCHC symposium sessions underscored the necessity of additional support being especially important to Latinx students.
“It is up to us to identify the challenges community college Latino students face but also to let them know there is hope,” said Harper-Marinick.
