Nature has blessed the University of California at Santa Barbara. Sitting on the Santa Barbara and Goleta coastline, its campus is a natural laboratory for environmental studies. This prime location has made the school home to one of the nation’s leading and pioneering environmental studies programs. “It allows for active research on multiple water ecosystems like ocean, salt marshes, lakes, creeks, and rivers,” says Henry Yang, Chancellor, UCSB. The rich fertile soil of the region provides abundant farmland, and the waters along its coast support a modest fishing industry. With so many relying on the region’s soil and waters for their livelihoods, the conservation of natural resources is vital. “Our Bren School of Environmental Science and Management works with local industry on issues of sustainability,” says Dr. Yang.

From Great Challenges, Great Rewards

Given UCSB’s location and commitment to sustainability, it’s no surprise that environmentally conscious Hispanics turn to UCSB and pursue degrees in its STEM programs. “Chicanx/Latinx are represented in all the STEM areas on campus. The three areas with the largest enrollments are Biological Sciences, followed by Psychological and Brain Sciences, and Environmental Studies,” says Dr. Yang.

Since Dr. Yang was appointed chancellor in 1994, UCSB has become the first AAU member to receive the designation of HSI. This past fall 26 percent of the school’s undergraduates self-identified as Chicanx/Latinx and about 33 percent of its population are first generation students.

Born abroad and coming to the US to further his engineering education, Dr. Yang identifies with those Hispanic students who are excited about STEM and are the first of their families to walk onto a college campus and navigate a higher education system that can seem intimidating. “Making the decision to study in another country requires a willingness to step outside one’s comfort zone. There will certainly be challenges, but also, I think – and I’m speaking from experience here – great rewards,” says Dr. Yang.

Broadening Diversity in STEM Research

According to the US Census Bureau, Santa Barbara is 36 percent Hispanic. UCSB is currently ranked number seven among the top public institutions in the United States and has earned the seventh highest diversity index rating by Frank DiMaria. In addition, Newsweek ranked UCSB the number one HSI in the country, and the New York Times ranked its campus second for its commitment to economic diversity. Last October, Hispanic Outlook named UCSB number one in natural resources and conservation degrees, in its list of top ten schools by major.

To build on the foundation of diversity that UCSB has established, in 2021, the school teamed up with peer institutions –HSIs in the top five percent of universities in the country for research - to create the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities. “The goal of the alliance is to double the number of Hispanic doctoral students, and increase by 20 percent the Hispanic professoriate by 2030,” says Dr. Yang.

UCSB has also joined the National Science Foundation’s IChange Network, which has the mission of broadening participation for STEM faculty from underrepresented groups through improving recruitment, hiring, and retention policy and practices. The hope is that UCSB recruits and retains a more inclusive and diverse STEM faculty. “This is essential for the increased success of all STEM students, and the increased quality and achievements of our scientists,” says Dr. Yang. “There are so many individuals at UC Santa Barbara who have worked hard to create an inclusive and supportive environment on our campus, and we are delighted that their work is being recognized.”

Growing Personally, Excelling Academically

 Under Dr. Yang’s leadership, UCSB’s faculty and staff have created several centers and programs that support UCSB students. The Center for Innovative Teaching, Research and Learning supports underrepresented faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students by developing evidence-based practices that improve teaching and learning through workshops and opportunities that develop inclusive teaching practices. “It provides support and leadership programs to members of the Santa Barbara community,” says Dr. Yang.

 Through its Opening New Doors to Accelerating Student Success Center, UCSB promotes the success and retention of the school’s first-generation college students with an emphasis on the first-year transition and underrepresented student experience. “The center provides mentoring and academic support in a learning-centered space for students to connect with faculty, staff, and peers in order to grow personally and excel academically,” says Yang. The Center for Science and Engineering Partnerships also has several programs focused on increasing diversity in STEM fields.

Recruitment efforts in underserved communities is one of Dr. Yang’s top priorities, with UCSB representatives visiting approximately 1,000 high schools each year. Its admissions team offers virtual and in-person tours in Spanish, as well as in Mandarin and Korean, and has established the LA2SB program, which brings Los Angeles area students to UCSB for panels, tours, and a lunch. “The admissions team also works with our student organization, El Congreso, to host Latine College Day to promote higher education to Chicanx/Latinx students, and our MESA program, which promotes engineering and STEM to middle school and high school students,” says Dr. Yang.

Using Engineering to Solve Administrative Problems

With a degree in mechanical engineering, Dr. Yang relies on his engineering background to inform his decision making as chancellor. “To me engineering is about problem solving, persistence, and perseverance, which often lead to unexpected breakthroughs. I believe this applies just as well to administration. Engineers use a systematic approach to reach the desired solution to a problem. As a chancellor, my approach relies heavily on consultation and consensus building,” he says.

Although he’s UCSB’s chancellor, Dr. Yang’s first love is teaching, and each year he teaches an undergraduate course in mechanical engineering while guiding Ph.D. candidates to their degrees. This year he’s working with two. “Both are underrepresented minority students,” he says. Dr. Yang’s teaching and mentoring energize and rejuvenate him and allow him to personally demonstrate his “strong belief in the importance of undergraduate education and mentorship. Our students are the reason we are all here,” he says.