The Department of Diversity of Inclusion’s “The Proud to be ____ at Nevada” project is a student-led campaign to recognize and lift up the voices of underrepresented students at Nevada. Every month we will highlight a certain minority group on our campus. Throughout the month ASUN social media will post a picture and short story caption featuring students from the highlighted group. Halfway through the month, we’ll host a virtual Zoom town hall discussing the identity of the highlighted group. And at the end of the month, we’ll do a blog post with the student features compiled, along with other info (resources, statistics, history, recent achievements, etc.) about said group.

Resources:

Contacts at Nevada:

• ASUN President Hall – president@asun.unr.edu
• ASUN Diversity and Inclusion – diversitydirector@asun.unr.edu
• The Center – thecenter@unr.edu and jlykes@unr.edu
• Gender Race and Identity Club – unrgriclub@gmail.com
• Gender Race and Identity Department – gri@unr.edu
• Student Conduct Office – studentconduct@unr.edu
• Title IX Office – (775) 784-1547
• Latino Research Center/ Centro de Investigacion Latino – latinocenter@unr.edu
• Latinx Program Coordinator – rsalazar@unr.edu

Statistics

• In 2017-2018, the retention rate for Latinx students was 77%
  • Compare to: 81% for their white peers
• Latinx make up roughly 20% of US undergraduate students
  • 2nd largest ethnic group enrolled at the undergraduate level
• Concentration in public institutions
  • 2016: 85% enrolled in public institutions
  • 2018: 20% of Latinx students in public, 4-year institutions
• Rising completion rates
  • Latinx students within the 25-29 age range with an associate’s degree rose from 15% to 31% between 2000 and 2019
    • Bachelor’s degrees increased from 10% to 21% in the same time period
• Foreign-born Latinx students are less likely to obtain associate/bachelor degrees compared to US-born Latinx students
  • Associate’s degree: 4% foreign-born Latinx students (2009)
  • Bachelor’s degree: 11% foreign-born Latinx students (2012)
• Financial Hurdles
  • 60% of Latinx students receive federal aid
    • Make up 20% of Pell Grant recipients
    • Compare to: 53% white students, 44% Asian students, 73% Black students
  • In 2012, the average Latinx graduate student loan debt was $23,441
  • A large percentage of Latinx students enter college as low-income students

Sources: PNPI, Noticiero Móvil

Research Starters (Terms and Concepts)

Latinx
Latino/a
Hispanic
Immigration
English Language Acquisition
Discrimination
Racism
Xenophobia
Voter ID Laws
Education Access
Reform
Intersectionality

Valuable Resources and Articles

Why People are split on using ‘Latinx,’ CNN

100 Inspiring Hispanic/Latinx Scientists in America, Cell Mentor

Why ‘Latinx’ Is Succeeding While Other Gender-Neutral Terms Fail to Catch On, Time

‘Latinx’ explained: A history of the controversial word and how to pronounce it, USA Today

Latino Experiences, Issues, and Resources, Ithaca College

 

Sept. 30, Feature: Ariannah Anahí Enríquez

Hola, my name is Ariannah Anahí Enríquez and my preferred pronouns are she/her/hers and Ella. I am a second-year double majoring in Criminal Justice and Spanish Literature.

I am the President of the Latino Student Advisory Board (LSAB). LSAB is a student-based club that strives for the enhancement of the Hispanic community through public outreach, academic excellence, and political movements. My greatest passion is helping others and making sure everyone’s voices are heard.

For me, identity means who I am and where I come from. As a Mexicana, my identity makes me a stronger person and pushes me to strive for myself, my familia, and my ancestors. As a Mexicana, I am lucky to be apart of such a beautiful and rich heritage. My heritage has allowed for me to become more involved on campus by sharing and cherishing mi hermosa cultura mexicana.

My experience here at UNR is that at first when I arrived I was very culture shocked especially as someone who comes from Salinas, CA, a community who has majority Latinos residing here. Gracias al Latino Student Advisory Board y a Diego the advisor I was able to find a sense of belonging with other Latinx students. I continue to shape my identity here at this institution while meeting students with diverse backgrounds. 🙂

Sept. 23, Feature:  Marco Garcia

Year and major:
Fourth-year/Accounting and Information Systems

Campus Affiliations/Accomplishments/Passions:
First Gen student, Proud member of Omega Delta Phi Multicultural Fraternity INC., The President of ODPhi, Soccer, Traveling, Health and fitness, 401k started

What does your identity mean to you?
My identity to me means being a proud first-generation student. I want to make my parents proud and make their sacrifices worthwhile. As well as be a role model for all Hispanic students to show that anything is possible with dedication and perseverance. My culture is something I’m very proud of, we have a huge emphasis on family, and hope I can bring my family up with me when I become successful.

How has your identity shaped/impacted your experience at Nevada?
My identity has really impacted my experience here in Nevada. It has made me work 10x harder than anyone else but has molded me into the person I am today. Being a first-generation college student is not easy, I have had to work full time and be enrolled in school full time to help support my family. Sometimes I wish I could be more involved on campus, but I have more important priorities like helping ensure my family is well taken care of. Being born from two parents who are undocumented has brought a lot of hardships throughout the years, but has taught me to never stop fighting and to keep on molding my own path to success.

Sept. 16, 2020 Feature: Sofía Cohen

My name is Sofía Cohen. I’m a fourth-year student studying International Business Marketing & Spanish Literature. I am the social media coordinator for the Latinx Student Advisory Board, and a member of Lobos de Plata Mariachi, Delta Sigma Pi, Sigma Delta Pi, Phi Kappa Phi, and Business Student Council

My identity as the daughter of a Mexican immigrant is so many feelings, experiences, and passions at once: I am so proud to be a Latina woman, and I am incredibly lucky to be part of such a rich heritage. I am enamored with my Mexican heritage, and love becoming involved with groups on campus that not only cherish but celebrate my heritage.

My identity has allowed me to meet incredible people at UNR from many diverse backgrounds: being a member of a mariachi has allowed me to bring my heritage and culture to others in a beautiful way, I’ve met amazing Latinx students at the Latinx Student Advisory Board, and educated myself about privilege and diversity at Hispanic-led conferences, such as at the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute conference. My identity has brought me together with so many others in Nevada and beyond!