Chicana/o/x Studies

About Us

In 1977 a group of students of Mexican ancestry who identified as Chicana/os in recognition of their unique social, cultural and political identities joined forces with a Chicano Art Professor, Rubén Trejo, to establish the Chicano Education Program. Since its creation, this program has served as an academic and community center for students and their families. Today, the Chicana/o/x Studies Program, as is known, provides services for students of all backgrounds: Chicanx, Indigenous, Hispanic, Latinx, immigrant, migrant, Caribbean, Central American, South American, non-Latinx, and beyond. Our program offers academic and non-academic support services both in English and Spanish, such as advising, peer mentorship, and tutoring opportunities, culturally relevant events, scholarship information, and a home away from home. Welcome to your space! (Bienvenidos!)

Chicana/o/x Minor Events Scholarships

College Assistance Migrant Program (C.A.M.P.)

Donate More Information

LATINO & CHICANO GRADUATION 2023

Any EWU student who will be graduating in or before Spring 2023 with their minor in Chicana/o/x Studies and/or students who identify as Latina/o/x Chicana/o/x are welcome to attend. The event is FREE for you, your family, and your friends and each graduate has a limit of 5 guests.

In Solidarity

10 Junio 2020
We, the directors of the four Diversity Programs at EWU, write to express our grief and outrage at the recent state-sanctioned killings of so many Black people. We join multitudes of others nationally and internationally in protest and demand an end to anti-Black police and state violence. We have been reeling from the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on our communities, and then we got hit with this terrifying upsurge in state violence. Some have suggested these are two different crises, but we know better.

The pandemic and this surge in racist violence are both deeply rooted in a history of white supremacy that values white lives and property above all else. We know this nation was founded in Indigenous genocide and dispossession, built through Black enslavement, and developed via the exploitation of immigrant labor –those oppressive structures are not just our past, but very much our present. This moment is revealing these truths for many beyond our QTBIPOC communities.

We are inspired by the outpouring of solidarity and resistance across the globe, the country, and right here in Spokane. As educators, we are particularly moved by the youth who are acting with brilliance and courage. We are at a tipping point and they are unrelenting in their demands for true social transformation.In this historic moment, we are putting all of our collective weight on Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s long “arc of the moral universe” to bend it more quickly toward justice.

Dr. Deirdre Almeida, Director, American Indian Studies
Dr. Scott Finnie, Director, Africana Studies
Dr. Nydia Martinez, Director, Chicana/o/x Studies
Dr. Judy Rohrer, Director, Women’s and Gender Studies

Dear Eagle Community,

Last week I received a letter written by an AsianAmerican student expressing fears and concerns in the midst of COVID-19. Anti-Asian racism and xenophobia, dislike or prejudice against people from other countries, worldwide are on the rise. Frequent occurrences of people publicly referring to COVID 19 as the “Wuhan” or “China Virus” has fueled the flames of hate crimes, and racist language targeted against Asian Americans. Last March, a Korean woman was punched in the face and grabbed by her hair, and parents in K-12 schools are reporting an increase in bullying and racist taunts toward Asian students. On May 8, 2020, United Nations Secretary-General stated, “the pandemic has unleashed a tsunami of hate, xenophobia, scapegoating and scare-mongering” and urged governments to act now to strengthen the immunity of our societies against the virus of hate.

It is deeply concerning when Eastern students are afraid to leave their rooms or to express thoughts in class for fear of retaliation. Students have also reported pointed fingers, laughing taunts and evil looks by their peers. I want to reassure our Asian American and Pacific Islander students that they are an important and necessary part of the EWU Community. Their presence on campus is always welcome and encouraged. EWU believes diversity is a value to our community and critical to our scholastic endeavors.

If students feel in danger at any time, they are urged to contact the EWU Police Department immediately.

Please don’t hesitate to contact my office if we may be of support or a resource to students, faculty and staff in addressing these issues. Eagles are “all in” and must continue acting with grace to foster a culture of respect, inclusivity, commitment and honesty, and celebrate diversity.

 

Dr. Shari Clarke

Vice President for Diversity & Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer

Dial 911 if you have a life-threatening emergency or crime in progress

  • For non-emergency police assistance: 509.359.7676
  • EWU Spokane Campus, dial 509.358.7995
  • Office phone (during business hours): 509.359.6498

Students who have any fears, concerns or apprehensions, or just want to talk with someone are urged to contact:

Counseling and Wellness Services
509.359.2366 | cws@ewu.edu

Dean of Students
509.359.7924 | DOS@ewu.edu

Multicultural Center
509.359.4004 | mcc@ewu.edu

Office for Diversity & Inclusion
509.359.4705 | diversityandinclusion@ewu.edu

Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies
509.359.2847 | cmartin22@ewu.edu

Pride Center
509.359.7870 | pride@ewu.edu

In addition, Dr. Pui-Yan Lam, Professor of Sociology, is offering her expertise for faculty seeking additional resources, including workshop presentations presented last spring for K-12 educators and parents. She may be contacted at plam@ewu.edu.

Mission

The Chicana/o/x Studies Program has a dual mission at Eastern Washington University. The program’s first mission is to actively contribute to enhancing the opportunity and participation of Chicanos/Latinos in higher education. This mission is achieved by actively recruiting and supporting Chicano/Latino students to have a positive and successful academic career.

A parallel CHST mission is to contribute to EWU’s goal of addressing diversity, by providing all students, regardless of ethnicity, with a Chicana/o/x Studies curriculum leading to a comprehensive understanding and appreciation of the Chicano/Latino community and relevant issues. CHST is committed to staging initiatives that adhere to and meet its dual mission. The Chicana/o/x Studies Program is divided structurally into three distinct program components. These include recruitment, student support services, and other CHST activities.

The Chicana/o/x Education Program’s student recruitment efforts are focused on various activities aimed at encouraging Chicano/Latino students to pursue higher educational opportunities at EWU. Specific recruitment activities include: visiting high schools and community colleges, staging university base student visitations, participating in educational and community career fairs, using the Spanish media (radio, television, and newspapers) to disseminate information about educational opportunities at EWU, networking with Chicano/Latino community organizations and other recruitment focused initiatives.

For more information, email chst_program@ewu.edu.

The Chicana/o/x Studies Program provides a variety of academic and non-academic support services benefiting students. Academic services include advising, guidance towards scholarship information, mentorship opportunities, cultural-based initiatives, linkages for tutoring needs and a college orientation class. CHST also assists students to become familiar with university regulations and practices and advocates on the students’ behalf with other university departments and offices.

The Chicana/o/x Studies Program maintains contact with both the Chicano and non-Chicano communities throughout the state of Washington. The program’s outreach efforts include seminars, lectures, cultural and art exhibitions for both the community on campus and surrounding area.

On the national level, the Chicana/o/x Studies Program actively participates with the National Association for Chicana & Chicano Studies, an organization which promotes research relevant to the Chicano community.

Community Organizations

Hispanic Business Professional Association LogoThe mission of HBPA is to empower and advance the Hispanic community. We serve the community, organizations, businesses, and students. For over 20 years, HBPA has been serving Spokane and the Inland Northwest youth by providing scholarships, resources, and acknowledgment to students of color. With the collaboration of Eastern Washington University- Chicanx Studies Program, HBPA and Chicanx Studies will bring Spokane a student engagement mentorship program for students of color, young and returning professionals. The Hispanic Leadership program has been developed to provide guidance, mentor, support students, young professionals, and returning professionals.

HBPA Website

HBPA Facebook (Bilingual)

We are a non-profit Civil Association constituted with a goal to contribute to conservation, diffusion and development of the culture, crafts, uses, customs, music, dance, gastronomy, art, and the languages of the indigenous people of Mexico.

IICEM Website

IICEM logo

The Latino Hope Foundation’s scholarship fund supports Latino students attending Gonzaga University, Eastern Washington University, Whitworth University, Washington State University-Spokane, University of Washington-Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College and Spokane Community College through financial support and mentorship through their full journey in earning their degree or vocation.

In an effort  to strengthen and foster understanding and appreciation of the Latino community, Latino Hope Foundation hosts events in Spokane that educate the community about the Latino culture and heritage through the arts, music, cultural celebrations and sharing of the historical contributions Latinos have made building our country and our communities.

Latino Hope Foundation Website

Latino Hope Foundation Facebook

Latino Hope Foundation

Mujeres in Action Logo

We believe that all women can embrace their identity, define their future and change the world.

Welcome to MiA – Women in Action! We are a non-profit organization committed to supporting and advocating for victims of domestic violence and / or sexual assault in the Spokane area. For some time now, we have noticed the lack of resources, information and tools in Spanish about these issues of domestic violence. So we want to create a bridge between the Latino community and the community resources in our city.

Mujeres in Action Website (Spanish Only)

Mujeres in Action Facebook (Spanish only)

Miguel Gonzales is a photographer and graphic artist born in San Antonio, TX and now living in Spokane. He explores Mexican American biculturalism through combining photography and illustration, and also curates www.ltnxartes.com —the only online marketplace in Eastern Washington for Latinx arts & culture.

In addition to helping build a creative Latinx community, Gonzales is producing and showing his own works. He recently teamed up with Jeni Hegsted at Coeur d’Alene’s Emerge Gallery to create Nuestro Esperanza, Nuestro Futura , a show that explored the hopes and dreams of Latinx artists in the Pacific Northwest.

Visit Miguel’s website for more information: https://www.miguelgonzales.com/

Miguel Gonzales

Planned Parenthood fights to ensure that all people have access to high-quality and affordable health care, regardless of race, income, geography, immigration status or gender identity — no matter what. That is why Planned Parenthood’s Raíz program is committed to breaking down barriers in accessing health care in the Latinx community. The Raíz program is about more than just health. It’s about justice, knowledge, and power.

Planned Parenthood Raiz Website

Planned Parenthood Raiz Facebook (Bilingual)

Planned Parenthood Raiz Logo

Chicana/o/x Studies Program is partnering with Alex Gibilisco, City Council Manager of Equity and Inclusion Initiatives, and Lisa Gardner, City Council Director of Communications + Community Engagement to bring job experience to our EWU students in form of an internship.

This internship and partnership is important so we allow students of diverse backgrounds see them selves in policy making roles, learn about organizational change through equity perspectives and to also see there are opportunities in the City of Spokane that align with their passions.  Equity work is broad and can be applied in any of the expert fields we work in from neighborhood planning, environmental sustainability, to budgeting, housing and homeless.   It is an opportunity for students to work with diverse stakeholders and to understand the needs and functions of the city. Any questions regarding the internship, please contact Alex Gibilisco at agibilisco@spokanecity.org or Lisa Gardner at lgardner@spokanecity.org .

MySpokaneCity.org

Spokane City Council Facebook Page

Official City of Spokane Seal

Partnering with Sherwin-Williams in Spokane, they are looking for bilingual (English and Spanish) students to enter their internship programs and work for in their local branches for hands-on experience. For more information contact:

EWU's Hispanic Serving Institution Initiative

As a regional public university, EWU reaches out to all diverse populations of our region. We strive to be a welcoming, friendly place for all students.

One of our strategic planning initiatives is to work toward the federal designation of a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). For an institution to qualify as an HSI, it must have at least a 25% Latinx/Hispanic student population. Our stretch goal is to be designated an HSI by 2023. Receiving this designation could provide EWU with access to resources that will benefit the entire student body. However, much more importantly, the extensive planning work on this initiative is helping us identify opportunities and challenges not only for the fastest growing population in our state but also for all prospective and current students.

A Hispanic Serving Institution is defined by federal law as an institution of higher education that has an enrollment of undergraduate full-time equivalent students that is at least 25 percent Hispanic students at the end of the award year immediately preceding the date of application.

If you are curious to learn more about Eastern Washington University’s Hispanic Serving Institution Initiative including; their objectives, committee information, and more, please visit their webpage.

EWU HSI Webpage

 

Giving to the Program

As a program, we welcome any type of support that will help us provide opportunities for the academic and personal success of our students. If you or your institution/organization are interested in giving a gift, donations are accepted through the EWU Foundation and are tax-deductible.

To make a donation online, you can give through our secure online giving site.

To make a donation by mail, please write “Chicano and Chicana Studies Program” on the message line and mail to:

EWU Foundation
Hargreaves Hall 102
Cheney, WA 99004