HSI Fellows Program
UCLA HSI FELLOWS: CHANGE AGENTS FOR EQUITY AND JUSTICE
UCLA Campus | August 11-13, 2025
Research consistently affirms that cultivating a culture of student success – particularly one that is culturally responsive and models inclusive excellence – requires intentional leadership. At the heart of this leadership are faculty and staff who serve as institutional change agents, courageously disrupting structural barriers and championing transformative innovation. In that spirit, UCLA’s Hispanic-Serving Institution proudly launches its second HSI Fellows Program – a dynamic, cohort-based leadership experience designed to empower faculty, staff, and administrators to lead campus-wide HSI efforts with vision and purpose.
The HSI Fellows Program amplifies UCLA’s institutional transformation by building a network of leaders who are deeply engaged in advancing our mission of inclusive excellence. Through a collaborative, project-based model, the program fosters cross-campus connection and a sense of collective purpose. Fellows will participate in interactive workshops with university and community leaders, engage with cutting-edge scholarship, and connect directly with students to inform and inspire their work. By the end of the program, Fellows will be equipped with the knowledge, relationships, and tools to lead with confidence and catalyze impact.
This signature opportunity is open to faculty, administrators, staff, and alumni who are committed to learning and advancing inclusive excellence at UCLA. We welcome applications from individuals across disciplines and backgrounds who bring innovation and courage to drive institutional change. Applications are due June 23, 2025.
Commitment
The HSI Fellows Programs requires a sustained, year-long commitment to advancing inclusive excellence and student success. On average, fellows will engage 0-2 hours a week in core program activities. These include attending workshops, participating in HSI events, and developing and implementing a team-based project that supports UCLA’s HSI priorities. Fellowship activities will continue to be supported throughout to ensure implementation and impact
Selection
2025 Fellowship Focus Areas
Fellows will work in small, interdisciplinary teams to design and implement culturally affirming projects that expand upon recommendations in UCLA’s HSI Task Force Report. Each team will receive support from the HSI Director, facilitators, and expert speakers. Focus areas include:
Advising and Curriculum
Reimagine pedagogy and advising models through culturally relevant strategies, and recommend policy and practice changes that reduce academic barriers and support Latinx and low-income student success.
Retention
Design and scale initiatives that foster a strong sense of belonging and academic achievement for Latinx and low-income students, with particular attention to STEM pathways.
Graduate and Career Pathways
Build robust educational pipelines to graduate and professional programs, enhance mentorship and research experiences, and strengthen the support systems for Latinx, first-generation, and low-income graduate students.
Development and Philanthropy
Expand equity-driven fundraising to support Latinx, low-income, and first-generation student success. Engage foundations, donors, and corporate partners to advance affordability and institutional transformation.
Timeline
June 23, 2025
Applications are due
July 11, 2025
Acceptance notifications are sent out along with requests for endorsement from the supervisor.
July 18, 2025
Deadline for Fellows to confirm attendance
August 11, 2025
HSI Fellows Convening - Day 1
August 12, 2025
HSI Fellows Convening - Day 2
August 13, 2025
HSI Fellows Convening - Day 3
