Pasadena City College to Host Keynote on Hispanic-Serving Institutions

Pasadena City College (PCC) will host a keynote address by Dr. Gina Ann Garcia, a prominent scholar on Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), to kick off its Latine Heritage Month celebrations. The event, focused on “servingness” and PCC’s commitment as an HSI, is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 19.

Titled “Floreciendo / Blooming with Servingness at PCC,” the address will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Westerbeck Recital Hall, located at 1570 East Colorado Boulevard.

Dr. Garcia is known for her research on equity and justice in higher education. She has authored influential books and hosts the podcast “¿Qué pasa, HSIs?” The event aims to “sow the seeds of equity-minded practices and inspire a shared commitment to servingness,” according to the announcement.

The concept of servingness involves providing a “culturally enhancing educational experience that centers their experiences and ways of knowing.”

“The HSI movement is our collective garden, and everyone is invited to be part of this important conversation,” the announcement said.

Organized by PCC’s HSI Alianza, the keynote is part of a broader HSI initiative at the college. Dr. Garcia’s address is expected to inspire discussions on how PCC can “better serve our Latine, historically minoritized student populations and low-income students through the principles of servingness.”

Dr. Garcia’s educational background includes degrees from California State University, Northridge, the University of Maryland, College Park, and UCLA. She founded the Cal HSI Center and has received recognition for her work, including the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education Book of the Year Award in 2020.

For more information or to register  please visit:https://pasadena.edu/news-and-events/index.php