Last October, California Baptist University was awarded a $3 million grant aimed at enhancing Hispanic student success. This transformative opportunity has led to a series of changes including new positions.
Lizette Leon now serves as the director of the Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Title V grant project, supported by two newly appointed coordinators, Michelle Perez and Heidi Rodriguez. The team is eager to improve educational outcomes for Hispanic and low-income students. Their work will play a pivotal role in shaping the university’s commitment to serving these communities.
“The desire to pay it forward to other students, like Michelle and Heidi being first-generation, is strong,” Leon said. “My parents are undocumented, and growing up with the reality of their situation and the struggles they faced made me want to help others have a better future and give back to my community so that students in similar situations can have a better experience overall.”
The HSI grant has already funded new resources, including a laptop kiosk in the Office of Student Success, allowing students to check out laptops via their phones.
The university also added lab assistants to anatomy and physiology labs to support instructors and help students with study tactics, time management, and other skills. Additionally, the grant funded the purchase of anatomy models, providing students with extra tools for exam preparation.
In the summer, the team launched the Pre-Nursing Foundations program, a two-day, on-campus event designed to equip incoming pre-nursing students with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate university life and succeed in their first semester.
The event was offered in both English and Spanish, with parents encouraged to attend. A total of 294 students participated, and the event was free of charge. Each in-person session concluded with a $1,000 scholarship raffle. The program aims to boost enrollment and retention rates, particularly among Hispanic and low-income students.
According to Perez, based on surveys conducted at the event, “Most students are women. Well, seven out of 10. And then for recent ethnicity, 52 percent were Hispanic, Latino, or of Spanish origin. So over half, 59 percent, were first-generation students.”
Leon shared how fulfilling it was to see the impact of her work.
“I’ve had parents email me in Spanish, and I never thought my parents would have had the comfort to email someone at a university and ask questions,” Leon said. “Making them feel like they belong here is important. Latinos are very family-oriented, so if your family feels like they can belong on campus, then the student should too.”
Rodriguez, a graduate of the University of California, Riverside, and a CBU alumna with a master’s degree, helps students find essential forms like parking permits and academic advisor information. Passionate about student success, she focuses on removing barriers for first-generation students.
“I feel honored to have helped create a program for our incoming pre-nursing students,” Rodriguez said. “We gave them the tools and taught them foundational keywords, something I struggled with myself.”
Perez and Rodriguez are planning to offer mentoring sessions for students, who can schedule meetings through the grant’s website. The team also plans to launch a peer mentoring program in the upcoming spring and fall semesters.
With initiatives like the Pre-Nursing Foundations program, CBU is prioritizing the success of Hispanic and low-income students, reflecting a broader commitment to educational equity. The HSI team’s work goes beyond improving enrollment and retention rates—it fosters a sense of belonging and empowerment for these students.
By creating meaningful connections and offering practical tools for success, the dedication of these women exemplifies the power of representation and is shaping a future where educational equity is not just a goal but a lived reality at CBU.