If not for Southwestern University’s designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), there’s a good chance that Adrianna Moya ’27 wouldn’t be embarking on her sophomore year at SU right now.

The Houston native first learned of Southwestern through a simple Google search, where she discovered the University’s designation as the only top 100 liberal arts college in the U.S. News & World Report rankings to be classified as an HSI. This discovery led to a campus visit that led to a life-changing connection.

When the United States Department of Education declared Southwestern as an HSI on July 1, 2023, the University became eligible for a number of new programs and opportunities, including significant federal funding for initiatives designed to support Hispanic students. Prior to receiving federal funding, Southwestern took the initiative to appoint Amalia Merino as the University’s first Hispanic Student Success Coordinator, demonstrating its commitment to supporting Hispanic students.

“My role provides comprehensive support that extends beyond academics, addressing external factors that may influence a student’s ability to succeed,” Merino said. “As a Latina myself, I understand that a student’s capacity to learn isn’t always the issue – often, it’s about recognizing the personal challenges they may be facing outside the classroom.”

Moya’s journey at Southwestern began the summer before her first year. Unable to attend Sprog in person, she completed the e-Sprog orientation online and then followed up with a campus visit. There, she made an instant connection with Merino. Before the campus tour, Merino met with Moya to answer her questions and offer valuable insights about the campus and its resources.

“Right off the bat, I felt very supported,” Moya said. “When I first came here, I was kind of caught off guard because I had never seen this [position] as a main focus at other schools. Amalia has been a big foundation in my experience here as a Hispanic student. She has always been a guiding presence. I knew this was a place where I will be supported not just as a student, but as a Hispanic student.”

When a first-year student like Moya arrives on campus, Merino works to ensure that they are supported from a variety of angles, including academically, professionally, and personally. She often acts as an expert navigator, connecting students with Southwestern’s many available resources.

“My support is tailored to each student’s individual needs,” Merino explained. “For first-year students, my focus is primarily on academic success, but I also ensure they’re thriving socially and finding their place on campus. As students advance through their second, third, and fourth years, my support evolves to match their changing needs and I continue to guide them throughout their journey.”

Southwestern is home to a variety of communities designed to help Hispanic students succeed, socially and academically. Led by Merino and the Center for Academic Success, LatinXcel is a program designed to create a sense of belonging, foster a supportive community, and promote success among Southwestern students of Hispanic and Latin American descent.

Similarly, Latinos Unidos is a student-led organization whose primary focus is to build community and a sense of belonging for Hispanic students through understanding of Hispanic culture and participation in intercultural exchange.

SU is also home to the Alpha Tau Chapter of the Latina-based sorority Kappa Delta Chi, one of the strongest Latina-founded sororities in the country.

“Amalia has invited me to so many different events and has been my connection to so many different things, including Kappa Delta Chi,” Moya said. “I went to their recruitment week and it brought out a sense of responsibility in me because I felt like I had a drive to be part of a community. Because it’s a smaller sorority, I feel the most connected with the other girls that are here. They provide me with a lot of guidance and are always there for me.”

Whether it be through LatinXcel, Latinos Unidos, Kappa Delta Chi, or any of the variety of other cultural-based organizations at Southwestern, Merino believes it is important for students to find organizations and groups where they feel they belong.

“Many times, I meet students who are struggling to find their place on campus or question whether they belong at Southwestern or in higher education at all,” she said. “However, when they meet other students from similar backgrounds who have faced similar challenges and are still thriving, it can be both inspiring and encouraging for them.”

After being named an HSI, Southwestern established a 13-member HSI Task Force, whose mission is to focus on three key areas to ensure that students are benefiting from the University’s HSI designation: improved student success and academic outcomes, enhanced belonging, and amplifying economic impact. Moya has seen first-hand the impact that the Task Force has had.

“There’s definitely a lot of proof that Southwestern is putting effort in,” she said. “There’s a lot of universities where we kind of slip through the cracks and are not really a focus. I think it’s very unique that Southwestern is focusing on that and that they want to push for us. You just have to reach out a hand and someone will grab your hand and guide you. There’s resources everywhere. It’s just a matter of finding and taking advantage of them. Being able to see that in practice and performance has been beautiful.”

The Task Force is composed of faculty, staff, and students across a multitude of different departments, divisions, and academic areas of study. Merino is quick to point out that it takes the entire campus community to ensure student success.

“Although I’m often in the spotlight because my role is directly student-facing, I wish students could see what I see,” Merino said. “Supporting our students takes an entire village, and that’s exactly what Southwestern provides. I work closely with numerous departments and offices on campus. Through these collaborations, I’m able to offer effective support. While students might associate their support with me, it’s important to recognize that many people are involved. This is a true team effort.”

As the Southwestern community celebrates Hispanic and Latine Heritage Month in the University’s second year with the HSI designation, Merino is proud of the work that has been done so far and the community that has flourished as a result.

“The Hispanic community at Southwestern is both strong and well-represented,” she said. “We strive to represent a wide range of Hispanic and Latin American cultures, recognizing that Latinidad is not a single, homogeneous experience. There is significant diversity within our culture, and many people on campus are committed to not just representing but actively embracing this diversity.”