UNM | El Centro de la Raza

UNM Enrollment Management

19 May 202110:14

Summary

TLDRAlejandro Mendias, a program specialist at El Centro, shares the history and mission of El Centro de la Raza at the University of New Mexico. Established in 1969 during the Chicano Civil Rights Movement, El Centro continues to support students facing discrimination. It offers various services, including academic and professional development, scholarships, and wellness programs. El Centro is open to all students, regardless of ethnicity or language. Through cultural events, mentoring, and dedicated support, El Centro aims to create a welcoming space and promote equity for all students.

Takeaways

🏫 El Centro is a student support center at the University of New Mexico, established in 1969 during the Chicano Civil Rights Movement.
🤝 The center was created by students for students, particularly to address discrimination and racism faced by Rasa students on campus.
🌍 El Centro serves a diverse range of students, not limited to those who identify as Hispanic or speak Spanish.
📚 The center offers professional and academic development services, including one-on-one meetings to help with tasks like completing the FAFSA.
🏢 Students frequently use El Centro's facilities, such as the break room, conference room, study space, and computer lab.
🌱 El Centro runs wellness initiatives and academic programs, some of which come with scholarships, such as the undergraduate research program.
📜 The center helps undocumented students, with resources like New Mexico Senate Bill 582, which allows for in-state tuition and state aid.
🎉 El Centro hosts various educational and cultural activities, including Rasa Junta, Dia de los Muertos celebrations, and Hispanic Heritage Month events.
🎓 Rasa Graduation is a bilingual ceremony organized by El Centro, featuring cultural elements like mariachi music.
📱 Students can connect with El Centro through social media, email, phone, or their website to access services and information.

Q & A

What is El Centro at the University of New Mexico?
-El Centro is a student support center at the University of New Mexico, established in 1969 to serve the needs of students, particularly those from the Hispanic and Raza communities.
Why was El Centro founded in 1969?
-El Centro was founded in 1969 during the Chicano Civil Rights Movement, as students of the Raza community felt they lacked a safe and supportive space on campus, where they experienced discrimination and racism.
Does a student need to be Hispanic or speak Spanish to access El Centro's services?
-No, students do not need to be Hispanic or speak Spanish to access El Centro's services. The center serves a diverse student population, including those who identify as African-American, Asian, Indigenous, and others.
What kinds of services does El Centro provide?
-El Centro offers various services, including professional and academic development, free printing, study spaces, wellness initiatives, academic programs, scholarships, and support for undocumented students.
How does El Centro support undocumented students at UNM?
-El Centro supports undocumented students by providing resources and guidance, particularly through the New Mexico Senate Bill 582, which allows undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition and state funding, including the Lottery Scholarship.
What is Senate Bill 582, and how does it benefit undocumented students?
-Senate Bill 582, passed in 2005, prohibits public universities in New Mexico from discriminating against students based on their documentation status. It also allows undocumented students who have attended secondary education in New Mexico for at least a year to qualify for in-state tuition and state funding.
What types of academic programs does El Centro oversee?
-El Centro oversees various academic programs, including undergraduate research, graduate programs, leadership programs, and mixed programs, many of which come with scholarships.
What cultural activities does El Centro organize?
-El Centro organizes several cultural activities, including the Raza Junta welcome event, Día de los Muertos celebrations, Hispanic Heritage Month events, and the Raza Graduation ceremony.
How can students connect with El Centro at UNM?
-Students can connect with El Centro through social media (Instagram and Facebook @elcentrounm), email ([email protected]), phone, or by visiting their website (elcentro.unm.edu).
What is the vision of El Centro at UNM?
-El Centro's vision is to cultivate positive change through education and culture, remaining dedicated to serving students and the community by supporting their educational journeys and fostering a sense of belonging.