The AZ HSI Consortium is pleased to announce the Hispanic Advancement and Belonging through Learning and Action as an inaugural AZ HSI G.A.T.E. Funding Opportunities Awardee. After careful review from colleagues across the state of AZ, Hispanic Advancement and Belonging through Learning and Action was shown to be an effective program in identifying barriers to and within higher education for Latinx learners, engaging in institutional problem solving, and implementing solutions that support Latinx learner success while successfully documenting how change at their Arizona HSI was implemented.
Please read below to learn more about Hispanic Advancement and Belonging through Learning and Action.
Project Abstract:
Eastern Arizona College (EAC), established in 1888, is Arizona’s oldest community college, serving over 5,000 students across Graham, Greenlee, and Gila counties, with Hispanic students comprising 27% of the student body. The proposed HABLA Project aims to transition from merely enrolling Hispanic students to actively serving their unique needs, developing a replicable framework for new Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). The project focuses on three main initiatives: increasing institutional awareness and collaborative planning, supporting cultural professional development, and expanding promotion and support for ESL courses.
Key challenges include defining essential questions, collecting current data, and establishing metrics to assess progress for Hispanic students. Initial data reveals a 9% enrollment gap between Hispanic individuals in the service area and those enrolled at EAC, alongside a decline in Hispanic Pell Grant recipients, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
The HABLA Project fosters a collaborative partnership with Latinx students to identify and address inequities, enhance cultural awareness, and implement evidence-based practices to improve educational outcomes. By leveraging resources from the AZ HSI Consortium and other HSI-focused research, the project aims to create a strategic plan that addresses current disparities and sets a foundation for continuous improvement and greater equity in higher education.
- Lydia Montoya, HABLA Co-Principal Investigator
Professor Lydia Montoya, an IT specialist with 17 years at EAC, mentors minority students and introduces both young and post-secondary learners to high-tech, in-demand careers. She is deeply committed to fostering diversity in technology and inspiring the next generation of innovators.
Dr Todd Terhufen, HABLA Co-Principal Investigator
Professor Todd Terhufen earned a Doctorate of Chiropractic from Palmer College after living in Spain, where he developed a love for the Spanish language and culture. He spent the next 25 years in private practice before becoming a professor at EAC in 2017, where he teaches a variety of biology and Allied Health courses.
Dr. Susan Wood, Vice-President of Academics and Student Services
Susan Wood, Vice President for Academics and Student Affairs at Eastern Arizona College, has 30 years of experience in higher education. She holds a BA in Russian and an MA in Linguistics (TESOL emphasis) from the University of Utah, and a Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Professional Communication from NMSU. Before EAC, she directed ESL programs at Bentley College (MA) and the University of Texas at El Paso, then served as faculty and an administrator at Doña Ana Community College in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Charmaine Chidester, Director of Grants
Charmaine Chidester has dedicated 15 years to Eastern Arizona College, with the past four focused on securing, writing, and managing more than $31 million in local and federal grants. She plays a pivotal role in aligning grant opportunities with EAC’s strategic vision, driving initiatives to address gaps, implementing evidence-based practices, and enhancing services for students and stakeholders alike.
Michael Montoya, HABLA Program Data Analyst
Michael Montoya is a data analyst in the Institutional Research department with four years of experience specializing in grant reporting and survey research. He earned a Master of Arts degree in Sociology from Arizona State University, where he developed a strong foundation in both quantitative and qualitative analysis. As the HABLA program’s data analyst, he provides data-driven insights that support informed decision-making and promote the program’s success.
Edwin Zavala, Student Success Advisor
Edwin Zavala, EAC’s Lead Student Success Advisor, received his Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts from San Diego University and several teaching credentials from CalStateTEACH. Born in Mexico and bilingual, Edwin has seen first-hand the transformative, equalizing power of education and have endeavored to promote it as a means of social equity. He has found significant personal and professional satisfaction in working with a variety of learners, ranging from traditional students, second-language learners, migrant-farm workers, and students within the correctional setting.
