California State University Action Research Network
The CSU Hispanic Serving Institution Action Research Network brings together faculty, staff and student stakeholders from eight CSU campuses designated as HSIs. Together, the network aims to facilitate conversations on how the CSU system can go beyond enrolling high numbers of Latine students to serving these students.
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The Network uses a participatory action research approach to examine ongoing HSI work on each campus supporting Latine students, including specific policies and practices, to identify cross-campus best practices. We aim to identify specific policies and practices that can be changed as well as a process to evaluate how these changes impact the holistic success of Latine students and their communities. We aim to utilize an iterative process of research to transform our own institutions and the CSU system.
This Network began in 2023 and is funded ​by the College Futures Foundation.
The Network is not a program of the CSU system or individual campuses and does not represent the views of the system or the represented campuses.
An Opportunity for Transformation
As the largest 4-year public university system in the U.S., where 42% of undergraduates identify as Latine, the California State University (CSU) system is uniquely positioned to lead a nationwide transformation in higher education. With 21 of its 23 campuses designated as Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), the CSU system has the opportunity to set a national example for serving Latine students effectively. However, the CSU system, like the national portrait, continues to see gaps in four- and six-year graduation rates between White and Latine students, at around 12 percentage points (Campaign for College Opportunity, 2023). The federal HSI designation is based solely on enrollment percentages and does not provide guidance on ways to serve Latine students (Garcia et al., 2019; Nuñez et al., 2015). Thus, the CSU system offers a context where the higher education system can be transformed at scale and lessons that can be brought to other HSIs – of which there are 178 4-year public postsecondary institutions across the nation that serve approximately two thirds of Latine undergraduate students (Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, 2024).
Our Vision for Transformation
Meet The Team
Califorania State University, Sacramento
Amber Gonzalez
Faculty Representative & Co-PI
(Faciltiation Team Member)
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Dr. Amber Gonzalez is a tenured Professor in the Child and Adolescent Development program at Sacramento State. She serves on the Faculty Senate Executive Committee and works as a faculty fellow focusing on MSI designations and servingness efforts with the Chief Diversity Office and Academic Affairs. Using quantitative methods and survey design, her research examines the influence social support networks and institutional structures have on Latine student motivations and aspirations.
Cal Poly Humboldt
Brandilynn J. Villareal
Faculty Representative
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Brandilynn J. Villareal is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology. She studies adolescents and young adults in the transition to adulthood and higher education. She serves as the for the Latiné Psychological Association student club and is a member of the Psychology DEI committee and serves as the Psychology Coordinator for the Place Based Learning Community Creando Raíces. In 2024 she received the inaugural Faculty Diversity and Equity Fellowship award at Cal Poly Humboldt and leads professional development for faculty and staff around serving Latine students.
CSU Channel Islands
Michelle Hasendonckx
Administrator Representative
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Michelle Hasendonckx is the AVP for Student Academic Success & Equity Initiatives and co-chair of the CSUCI President’s Advisory Committee for Inclusive Excellence. Dr. Hasendonckx’ work includes stewardship of institutional HSI initiatives and advancing Latine student success.
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CSU San Marcos
Erik Ramirez
Administrator Representative &
Scholar-Practitioner
(Faciltiation Team Member)
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Erik Ramirez, Ed.D., scholar-practitioner, is the Director of Divisional Initiatives and Partnerships at California State University San Marcos, where he leads HSI-related efforts and oversees special projects focused on equity and student success. He previously served as the Director of the Latinx center and the undocumented student center at Sacramento State, where he also led HSI initiatives.
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CSU San Bernardino
José Muñoz
Faculty Representative
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José Muñoz, Ph.D. is a sociologist with an extensive academic and research background. He is the coordinator for CSUSB ExCELS (Experiential Computing and Engaged Learning Scholarships). This NSF S-STEM program targets academically talented students who demonstrate financial need and who intend to pursue a major in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Computer Systems, Bioinformatics, or Data Science Program. He is a professor of sociology at CSUSB and is the assistant Dean of Student Success for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at CSUSB. Additionally, he serves as part of the CSUSB Strategic Planning Advisory Board and is the faculty advisor for the HSI Ambassadors Club.​​​​​​​​​​
California State University, Sacramento
Jose Ballesteros
Administrator Representative
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Dr. Jose Ballesteros is the Associate Dean of Student Engagement and Success in the Division of Student Affairs at California State University, Sacramento. He works to support student life and success outside of the classroom so that students can thrive at the university. Some of the centers and programs Dr. Ballesteros currently supports include the Serna Center, Dreamer Resource Center and College Assistance Migrant Program which all serve Latine students.
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Cal Poly Humboldt
Fernando Paz
Administrator Representative
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Fernando Paz is the Campus and Community Development Coordinator within the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Cal Poly Humboldt. He is the co-founder of PARA (People Affected by the Raid in Arcata) and Centro del Pueblo. Most recently, he served as the coordinator for the El Centro Académico Cultural at Cal Poly Humboldt. His extensive background in social justice, community organizing, and advocacy has significantly impacted the Latinx community and beyond, fostering positive change and empowerment.
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CSU Channel Islands
Arisay Diaz Hernandez
Student Representative
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Arisay Diaz Hernandez is a Psychology major at CSUCI expecting to graduate in May of 2025. She serves on the HSI Taskforce and works as an HSI Ambassador in the Student Academic Success & Equity Initiatives department.
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CSU San Marcos
Itsarely Palma
Student Representative
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Itsarely Palma is a third-year, first-generation college student at California State University of San Marcos, pursuing a B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis in finance. As a proud Hispanic student, Itsarely is passionate about advancing Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) initiatives to address the challenges underrepresented students face in higher education. Their involvement is driven by a commitment to fostering equity, belonging, and access to resources for Hispanic and marginalized communities. Itsarely views HSI initiatives as essential to creating pathways for student success, breaking down systemic barriers, and ensuring that diverse perspectives are supported in academia. Through their contributions, they aim to uplift students from all backgrounds and help build a more inclusive and empowering university environment.​​
CSU East Bay
Ana Garcia-Nevarez
Administrator Representative
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Dr. Ana Garcia-Nevarez is the Associate Dean of the College of Education and Allied Studies at CSU East Bay and is a member of the CSU East Bay President’s Equity Council. Her scholarship explores the ways in which theoretical discourse and practices intersect and how these practices are associated with students’ knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about culturally and ethnically diverse public-school settings and the impact service learning makes on promoting citizenship and civic engagement. Dr. Garcia-Nevarez brings curricular expertise as well as observation and quantitative methods. ​​​​​​​​​​​
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Califorania State University, Sacramento
Samantha Secundino
Student Representative
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Samantha Secundino. Samantha was a student co-researcher in a participatory action research process which combined photovoice and survey methodology to better understand Latine students’ definition of success at a Hispanic Serving Institution.
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CSU Channel Islands
José M. Alamillo
Faculty Representative
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José M. Alamillo is a Professor of Chicana/o Studies at Channel Islands and a member of the CSU Channel Islands HSI Taskforce. Dr. Alamillo’s research focus on the ways in which Mexican immigrants and Mexican Americans build community and social networks to advance their educational outcomes.
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CSU San Marcos
Audrey D. Paredes
Faculty Representative
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Audrey D. Paredes, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership and Administration in the School of Education at California State University, San Marcos (CSUSM). Her research utilizes critical approaches to understand and conceptualize how institutions of higher education, particularly Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), have the potential to as sites of equity, justice, and transformation, so that Students of Color may thrive. Currently, her research focuses on responding to the heterogeneity of the Latina/o/x college student population within the context of federally designated Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs). Prior to joining CSUSM, Dr. Paredes was a post-doctoral scholar at UCLA, the lead project manager for the University of California's Hispanic Serving Institutions (UC-HSI) Initiative, and a consultant for the UC Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) Initiative working group. She earned her Ph.D. in Education with a specialization in Race and Ethnic Studies at UCLA, an MA in Education at UCLA, and a BA in Gender, Ethnicity, and Multicultural Studies (with a concentration in Chicana/o Studies) from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.​​​​​
CSU Monterey Bay
Valarie Maestas-Chapel
Administrator Representative
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Valarie Maestas-Chapel, the Mentorship and Equity in Transitions to Achieve Student Success (METAS) and Cooperative Learning Center Coordinator. METAS is a five-year, $3 million dollar Title V Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions program grant.
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UConn
Kevin Ferreira van Leer
Principal Investigator​
(Facilitator Team member)
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Kevin Ferreira van Leer, Ph.D., PI, is an Assistant Professor in the Human Development and Family Sciences department at the University of Connecticut. His research assesses access to educational institutions for Latine migrant families using participatory action research and mixed methods. He has conducted projects with communities at Sac State, in the Boston area, and transnationally in New England and Guatemala.
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