Written by Dr. Rowena M. Tomaneng and William L. García

A Hispanic-Serving Institution such as San José City College is more than just a college that enrolls 25% or more total undergraduate Latinx full-time equivalent students. We are proud of our HSI status and the myriad academic and student support programs we have put into place to serve our largest student demographic.

Even more important, the campus has developed a culture of connection and care for our Latinx students through the presence of a solid Ethnic Studies department  - with a complete offering of Chicanx–centered courses - and academic support programs such as METAS and the Puente Project. To expand cultural responsiveness in curriculum and pedagogy, SJCC has also increased professional learning among the faculty through the efforts of our Professional Development Committee.

History of Chicano Studies at SJCC

In the late 1960s, the Third World Liberation Front strikes rocked the Bay Area. Universities in San Francisco and Berkeley were central to the student-led movement, but they were not alone. They also coincided with the famous walkouts at Roosevelt Junior High School in San José, which held strong ties to the SJCC community. The cumulative momentum from all these events sparked the birth of a new and essential discipline.

“San José City College in the 60s and 70s was actually kind of a hotbed of political activism,” said former Ethnic Studies faculty Jesús Covarrubias. “There was this growing movement for educational reform that included a desire to develop a curriculum that reflected the diversity within the community.”

SJCC faculty members created courses in Native American, Asian American, Mexican American, and Black Studies. In 1974 these courses became the foundation of a new Ethnic Studies Program. “Chicanx Latinx Studies provides a historical context and critical racial lens to understand the contributions, diversity, and experiences of Chicanx Latinx people rarely mentioned in schools,” said Juan Gamboa, an SJCC Ethnic Studies faculty member.

Reshaping our curriculum through transfer degrees like Chicanx/Latinx Studies is crucial to social justice. “I have learned so much about my Mexican culture and background. I always have something new to share with my family, especially my mom, who grew up in Mexico,” said Yolanda Mercado Soto, a Mexican American history student at SJCC.

The Puente Project

The mission of the Puente Project, founded in 1981, “Is to increase the number of educationally underrepresented students who enroll in four-year colleges and universities, earn college degrees, and return to the community as mentors and leaders to future generations.” Sponsored by the University of California and the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, Puente has helped more than 300,000 Latinx students since its founding,

Puente at SJCC is a learning community that creates essential pathways for our students. Faculty and staff are working hard to revitalize the program in new ways to help more students achieve their dreams and academic goals.

“The very best part about joining Puente is being around a community of students and instructors who care about you! They are always willing to go that extra mile to help,” said SJCC student Yesenia Hernandez.

Another Puentista, Wendy Villalobos, echoed this feeling of inclusion, “to feel like you are part of a community and knowing that you have the support whenever you need it is very important for Latinx students. Especially because it's common for us to be first-generation students.”

Puente works with METAS, EOP&S, UMOJA, MEChA, SPARKPOINT, and the Ethnic Studies Department to support students, often engaging with surrounding educational institutions. In collaboration with these other groups, students cultivate a multicultural perspective and access other careers, leadership, and financial aid opportunities.

The Ganas Project

According to the Joint Venture Silicon Valley 2022 Index, the average full-time annual wage for Latinx workers was $60,000 in 2019 compared to $146,690 for White workers. The Ganas Project aims to narrow the wage and skills gap. The U.S. Department of Education awarded a five-year $2.9 million HSI grant that will focus on student pathways for STEM, public health, and teaching careers.

Research shows that the fields of STEM, public health, and teacher preparation are critically lacking Latinx representation. A shortage of Spanish-speaking doctors amidst the COVID health crisis is the timeliest example.  Securing futures for Latinx in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics is uniquely essential to the economy of Silicon Valley.

Moreover, Latinx teachers are essential to ensure the academic success of Latinx students in early education. Prioritizing support for aspiring Latinx teachers will change a discriminatory system at its root and provide students with empathetic role models.

We are thrilled about what this means for the future of our community, because Latinx success impacts the health of the entire community.

What will the Ganas Project do?

• Create clear academic and career pathways in engineering, teacher preparation, and public health.

• Use an integrated academic support system that provides intensive academic and non-cognitive support (e.g., study skills, motivation, sense of belonging)  to ensure student success.

• Implement an equity-centered Faculty Professional Learning Program.

Latinx students are more likely to lose their way on the path to higher education, so past initiatives at SJCC have been specifically designed to prevent early departures. The 2019 METAS Summer Bridge Program and the Guided Pathways Framework demonstrated that clear academic pathways are critical. The Ganas Project will use both models and work with the METAS Center to change systems and reduce obstacles for students at SJCC.

Community and college leadership have always been behind Latinx students. And now more than ever, we have the tools to make meaningful, sustainable change to help SJCC Latinx students thrive. •

Authors’ Bios:

Dr. Rowena M. Tomaneng is the President of San José City College in the San José Evergreen Community College District in California.  A multicultural educator in the California Community Colleges for over 27 years, Dr. Tomaneng's teaching, research, and service are guided by social justice frameworks.

William L. García is Vice President of Student Affairs at San José City College in the San José Evergreen Community College District in California.  Mr. García has over 22 years of student affairs and student services experience serving at various California community colleges.  Mr. García is committed to providing students with open access to higher education.