Dr. Florez believes it’s critical that the effort not only focus on what’s happening on campus but also on what’s happening in these students’ personal lives, as he believes it’s important for faculty and staff to see students as full individuals who face challenges outside of the classroom.
These challenges include work and home responsibilities as well as family members’ lack of understanding of what students are tasked with at the university, according to Dr. Florez.
“One of my own experiences as a first-generation student and what I’ve heard often from students is that their families are very happy that they’re here and they’re very supportive, but they don’t fully understand the requirements that are placed on students in order to be successful here, which can lead to feelings of frustration,” he said.
Dr. Florez hopes the fellowship will help strengthen CSUB’s connections with students’ family members and their communities, as he believes that can lead to fewer feelings of isolation and may encourage more Latinx students to persist to graduation.
“I hope this serves as a jumping-off point where we can begin to bridge that disconnect,” he said. “I think we need to expand the CSUB community and think about it from a wider perspective.”
Dr. Florez said it’s important that student voices are at the center of this process and to make them feel included in the effort.
“It’s always more impactful and powerful when faculty members hear from the students themselves,” he said. “It’s better that we hear what the students are facing and how they understand those challenges. Then we can begin to bridge that gap.”
Dr. Florez must submit a report to the university on his findings and recommendations in January. In the spring, he plans to offer some student-centered programming as well as professional development opportunities for faculty and staff. These will focus on how to work with Latinx students and help them achieve success.
Dr. Rodriquez said she’s excited to see what will result from the fellowship and how CSUB will move forward as an HSI in the years to come.
“Dr. Florez and the work he completes as the faculty fellow will make an important contribution to the university and to the community it serves,” she said. “It is gratifying to see CSUB is making a significant investment in this important initiative.”