Hampton University News May 5, 2015 HU, HUUC Launches Hispanic/Latino Initiative The Hampton University University College (HUUC) recently launched a Hispanic/Latino initiative with the goal of creating cultural awareness among the campus and local communities and increasing enrollment of Hispanic/Latino students at Hampton University. HUUC is the branch of HU that caters to continuing education and non-traditional students. "Our nation has arrived at a very important moment in our society where achieving diversity and inclusion in an era of transformation is key to the growth of the Hispanic population in Hampton Roads," said Dr. Almarie Munley, HUUC Dean. "Hampton University- University College recognizes the contributions made and the important presence of the Hispanic/Latino population in our learning communities." The initiative will operate with an internal steering committee comprised of faculty, administrative staff and students. Two new positions are being created as a result of the initiative - a Hispanic Liaison and a Coordinator of Hispanic Outreach and Student Programs/Bilingual Recruiter. Both will work in collaboration with Munley and Alisha Foster, director and project lead for the Hispanic Initiative. The latter position will be tasked with providing leadership in the creation and development of relationships and partnerships with community and civic leaders as well as educational personnel and staff to promote HUUC. Additionally, they will also responsible for assisting in the delivery of outreach services to the Hispanic/Latino population. On April 16 University College organized the first Hampton University Hispanic/Latino Initiative Think Tank which hosted leaders from various Hispanic organizations across the State of Virginia and beyond, including Virginia Latino Higher Education Network(VALHEN), Hampton Roads Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (HRHCC), Esperanza College from Philadelphia, Colonial Williamsburg Latino Association, Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations (VACALAO), Hispanic Advisory Board of Newport News, Scholarship Sharing Organization for Hispanics, and National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC). Increasing access to programs at HU for the Hispanic markets, offering Hispanic scholarships, providing a progressive and innovative approach to educating Hispanic communities, and supporting the fast growing Hispanic communities across the United States are just some of the program's immediate goals. The initiative will be headquartered at 11817 Canon Blvd. in Newport News, but will serve all of HU. "As with all we do at HU and HUUC we want to uphold the standard of excellence, and that means broadening the scope of what we do and what we offer to all students," Foster said. "Diversity matters to us at HU and we want to show that in all our efforts." SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.