HISPANIC SERVING INSTITUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The University of Colorado Denver and Anschutz Medical Campus became the first research university in the state to attain status as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), according to an October 2021 designation by the U.S. Department of Education. To qualify for this status, a university must have undergraduate full-time enrollment that is comprised of at least 25% Hispanic/Latiné students and demonstrate a high concentration of students who are eligible for Pell Grants.
The HSI Advisory Committee for CU Anschutz is comprised of members who represent faculty, staff and students from a variety of units on the Anschutz Medical Campus. Members volunteer time and effort towards our goals. Much of the work is dividing into two focus areas and subcommittees, one with a faculty and staff focus and one with a student focus. The larger committee meets monthly, and the subcommittees meet as often as twice per month depending on need. The committee is on a path to increase inclusion and advancement for Latiné students, faculty and staff.
Our mission is advising on how to to address inequities and foster a responsive, inclusive, and identity-safe climate for University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus students, faculty, staff, trainees and community members from Latiné and other minoritized groups by advocating for programs that improve social, emotional, academic, and career development and that are linked to systems of accountability. These include, but are not limited to, efforts in the following areas:
- Fostering a sense of belonging, inclusion and well-being
- Implementing evidence-based practices for advancing success
- Providing holistic, evidence-based academic and professional development opportunities to build asset-based mindsets that are inclusive
The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is a health sciences campus with a responsive, inclusive and identity-safe climate through the fostering of a sense of belonging and inclusion for students, faculty, staff, trainees and community members. Our campus community members thrive when they are valued holistically and their individual culture is respected, visible and elevated.
HSI Advisory Committee Members
Adela Cota-Gomez, PhD
Dr. Cota-Gomez is Assistant Director of Education Administration of the University of Colorado Cancer Center. She oversees a continuous portfolio of cancer-focused Pathways Programs from Middle School to Junior Faculty to realize the research education and training mission of the Cancer Center and diversify the cancer workforce.
Karely Villareal Hernandez, MPH
Karely Villarreal Hernandez is a Professional Research Assistant for the Center for Health Work and Environment of the Colorado School of Public Health. As a Professional Research Assistant at the Center for Health Work and Environment of the Colorado School of Public Health, Karely is actively involved in conducting research projects that focus on the intersection of health and work. Her work extends to advocating and co-leading trainings in worker health, particularly within the Latino community, emphasizing the importance of creating safe and supportive workplaces.
Theresa Nino, she/her/hers/ella
Theresa is a Senior Instructor for the College of Nursing at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Theresa has over 30 years of clinical expertise in critical care, trauma, and nursing education. Ms. Nino received both her Bachelors and Master of Science in Nursing at the California State University at Dominquez Hills. Theresa serves through participation in shared governance as well as being involved in Access and Engagement work for the AMC campus and she is a member of the Hispanic Serving Institute Steering Committee and participates in community work for the LGBTQ Hub. She serves local professional nursing organizations and is engaged in the education and recognition of our community of excellent nurses. Theresa strives to promote inclusivity and promotes health equity in the learning spaces and planning for our next generation of providers.
Montelle Taméz
Montelle Taméz is the Deputy Director of Community Engagement and Health Equity at the University of Colorado's Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute. Ms. Taméz has 20 years of experience addressing health disparities and the social determinants of health through public health program development, implementation and management, health education and promotion, community engagement and community engaged research. Her career spans multiple sectors, including community-based non-profit organizations, state and local public health, and academic research institutions.
Dionisia de la Cerda, MPA
Dionisia de la Cerda has worked for the University of Colorado for almost 2 decades. She began as a community college transfer student working as a student tutor in the Math Learning Center at the Colorado Springs campus. She has worked in Student Success, Corrections, K12 STEM education research, Health Services Research. She came to the Anschutz campus in 2015 starting her time in the Department of Family Medicine (DFM) in the Practice Innovation Program. She now works with the Center for Health Equity, the Office of Access and Engagement, and the DFM in Data and Evaluation. Her passions are data and community.
Deborah Parra-Medina, MPH, PhD
Dr. Deborah Parra-Medina is Executive Director of the Center for Health Equity and Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. She has over 25 years of research and program experience in chronic disease prevention with underserved groups, including women, Hispanics, immigrants, youth and financially disadvantaged populations in diverse geographic and community settings. Her research portfolio includes 20 grants funded for over $22 million over the past 25 years. Dr. Parra-Medina has disseminated her research in over 120 published articles, presented extensively at national and international conferences, and received awards for research, teaching, and service. In 2016 she was inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Health Behavior. She received the 2013 American Public Health Association Mayhew Derryberry Award for outstanding contributions to research in the behavioral sciences. Dr. Parra-Medina currently serves as Editor for the Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Science and is an editorial board member for several scholarly journals.
Alisya Rodriguez
Alisya Rodriguez embodies Colorado pride through her unwavering commitment to advocating for the Latine community. Her career has been fueled by a deep passion for culture and education, driving significant progress. With a BA in Ethnic Studies from the University of Colorado, Denver, Alisya has gained a profound understanding of cultural dynamics and social justice issues. Her leadership extends to serving on various boards, engaging with HSI and Latine affinity groups, and spearheading DREAMER scholarship fundraising efforts. For over 20 years, Alisya has been an integral part of the Baile Folklorico community in Colorado as a professional dancer and instructor. Through her work, she has inspired countless students to connect with their cultural heritage and express themselves through dance. Alisya’s extensive experience, dedication, and diverse contributions make her a distinguished advocate for the Latine community.