Presenter Bios:
Dr. Gabriela Cázares: Dr. Cázares has spent her career as an administrator and educator bridging broader campus communities. She has extensive experience working with underserved populations both within public and private universities as well as organizations outside of the university. At California Lutheran University, she currently manages EDUCAL, a $2.7 million dollar Title V federal grant designed to increase teaching pathways for Latinx students, working collaboratively with local departments, divisions and K-12 districts.
Adrienne Arguijo: Adrienne is the Project Director for Ventura College's Project Servingness: Aspiration, Identity, and Learning (S:AIL) in STEM (HSI STEM and Articulation Programs-Title III, Part F). In her role, she is focused on supporting the academic and transfer success and career aspirations of Latine students in STEM through culturally responsive and affirming institutional practices. Prior to joining VC, Adrienne worked with multiple HSI programs, including Title V DHSI grants in various capacities at Santa Barbara City College, California Lutheran University, and the University of California Santa Barbara. Her work has focused on implementing student engagement and faculty development programs that ignite critical discussions and review of institutional and curricular practices to develop an equity-centered, transformational experience that is culturally relevant and responsive to the needs of Latine/BIPOC students. Adrienne is a first-generation college graduate, earning a B.A. in English with a minor in Womxn's Studies (LGBTQ+ concentration) and a M.A. in Education with an emphasis in Cultural Perspectives and Comparative Education. Adrienne is a proud AHSIE Council Member.
Victor Davila: Victor Davila most recently was the Executive Director of Retention and Student Success at Lamar University, an emerging HSI. He has worked in higher education for over 19 years at public institutions in Texas. He has served in various roles at three Hispanic Serving Institutes previously as a Primary Investigator P.I., Project Director, Project Coordinator at those institutions. He has authored and secured over 14 million dollars of grant funded programs, HSI-Title V Part A, Part B (PPOHA), Title III Part F, and various state and corporate funds. The emphasis of his work has been college access, completion, and student success among the underrepresented students at HSIs.
Victor is a co-founder of AHSIE and has served as a founding Vice-President and Vice President of Finance and Governance for the organization. His primary work has been piloting retention and student success initiatives since 2004. He has served on numerous community organizations that focus on college access for Latino students in Texas. He is active in the HSI community and co-authored a chapter in Gina Garcia’s book Defining “Servingness” at HSIs. Victor also facilitates HSI-Title V workshops on budget, compliance, and program management.
Victor is a first-generation college graduate, having earned a bachelor’s degree in History from Texas A&I University, a master’s degree in Psychology from Texas A&M University-Kingsville. He's originally from Robstown, Texas.
