Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Committee

Mission Statement

The Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Committee at The Community College of Denver is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that empowers Hispanic students and other underrepresented groups to achieve their full potential. Our mission is to embody the principles of "servingness" by actively engaging with and serving our Hispanic students, faculty and staff through comprehensive support, cultural celebration, and educational excellence.

Tina Garcia

As the Vice President for Student Services, my role includes developing and implementing procedures, programs, and services that foster student success in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment. By participating in this committee, I aim to help cultivate a more welcoming atmosphere where Latine students and the entire campus community can thrive academically and socially.

Jim Chavez

In my role as the Executive Director of the CCD Foundation, I feel responsible for doing my part to help generate resources, scholarship funds in particular, to help our Hispanic and Latino students afford the opportunity to pursue their educational goals.  I am part of the HSI committee because I believe in and am committed to helping our Hispanic and Latino students lead a more prosperous and successful life for themselves and their families.  I choose to serve on this committee because of the impact we can, and must make to ensure our students are successful in educational pursuits and in their future careers.

Angelica Rueda

As the Dean of Enrollment Administration and Student Success and co-chair of the Hispanic Serving Institution Committee, I can make positive, large-scale impact to the lives of our CityHawks. We look for existing inequities in guidelines and programming, or from the point of recruitment through graduation and make changes to provide a seamless student experience. I re-ignited the HSI committee because Hispanics make up over 39% of our student population and I want to see them and other underrepresented groups succeed here and beyond our doors.

Jessica Lanfranco

As Student Success Technology Manager at CCD, I work to enhance our student success platform – Navigate360 to help support student success initiatives throughout the college.   I chose to serve on the HSI Committee because I am proud to work for a Hispanic Serving Institution, and our mission aligns with my passion of promoting education, technology, culture music and dance. ¡Adelante! 

Lourdes Schmidt

As an academic advisor, I serve the Hispanic Community because, for me, it is a social responsibility. Our Hispanic community has a critical social need to have structure, direction, and education.

I chose to serve on the community with the hope of working with other Hispanics in higher ed to have similar interests in promoting and cultivating active participation.

Daniel Limache

As Engagement Manager of CWI, my role is to obtain the commitment of the business sectors and specific training in the community that favors the development of the workforce. In this sense, we are a bridge for students who are preparing in that direction. HSI gives me the opportunity to better connect with the Latino community that I want to serve in the best way.

Asia Abeyta

As an Assistant Director of Financial Aid, I’m aware of how daunting the processes and cost of obtaining a post-secondary education can be.  My goal is to approach students and their families with empathy and provide the tools to empower them to make informed decisions. I chose to serve on the HSI committee to address systemic inequities that hinder the upward mobility of Hispanic and minoritized communities by keeping access to education seemingly out of reach.

Edi Hernandez

As an Academic Advisor it is my responsibility to make sure that students understand their academic journeys and know how to achieve their goals. I made the choice to be an Academic Advisor because the journey in navigating higher education isn’t an easy one and I want it to be as easy for the students that come after me. I serve on the HSI Committee because I don’t think an institution can truly help its student if we don’t all do it together and understand what our part is in the journey.

Sydney Pedregon

As the Dean of Student Programming, Activities, and Resource Center, my team strives to support students while navigating life challenges and obstacles. By being a part of this committee, I can identify barriers and support with proactive solutions that allow CCD CityHawks focus on their academics. Lastly, this space allows CCD staff to highlight our LatinX student’s narratives, stories, and successes! All students benefit and achieve when they can relate and see others like them succeed!

Carlos Lopez

Carlos is currently the Director of Momentum Credit and Testing at CCD. He’s built a career working at institutions focused on supporting historically marginalized learners, first-generation college students, and minority-majority institutions. Carlos M. Lopez has previous experience as an instructor, administrator, and Associate Dean for Health and Administration at various other institutions. They served as a Senior Consultant and Postsecondary Workforce Readiness Specialist at the Colorado Department of Education, helping grow FAFSA completion rates and aiding high school counselors to improve college-going rates through effective grant programming. He’s also had a stint with the University of Denver leading admissions and recruitment in their graduate college of education.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Metropolitan State University of Denver and master’s degrees in liberal arts and education leadership and policy studies from St. John’s College – Santa Fe and University of Texas – San Antonio, respectively. He is currently pursuing his Ed.D. at the University of Colorado in education equity with an emphasis in higher education.

Carlos has worked with HSIs to various degrees and understands how they work. Serving on the HSI committee is a natural fit for him. Being a first gen Hispanic student means representing his culture, building supports he didn't have, and providing leadership to others in a way that supports all students at CCD. His love for data combined with drive for student support allows him to see the student experience holistically. 

Citlalith Medrano

Citlalith Medrano is a first-generation Latina born and raised in Denver, Colorado. She obtained her bachelors from Metropolitan State University of Denver and currently working towards her Masters at the University of Colorado Denver. She is also proud of being bilingual and has received her Spanish translation and interpretation certificates to create more accessible resources for Spanish-speaking students and their families. Working in the community has always been an important asset Citlalith believes everyone should have, as it helped her through her post-secondary goals. She is passionate about providing resources and assisting students to be a part of a community they feel empowered by. Citlalith is excited to work with and support students at the Community College of Denver as they pave their way.

She joined the HIS Committee because she can understand first hand as a  first-generation Latina the unique challenges that many Hispanic students face when pursuing higher education. Being a part of the HSI Committee is her way to continue supporting students by helping create a more inclusive and supportive community that they feel represented by as well as offering resources that help guide them to their success.

Mark Harben

As Associate Dean of Student Success, I am committed to supporting students on their academic journeys. Raised by immigrant parents, I have a deeply rooted belief in the power of education to transform lives. I contend there is an opportunity gap, not a talent gap, and my goal is to help our students feel supported, valued, and empowered to succeed. Dr. Gina Garcia's servingness framework resonates with me, and I am committed to ensuring that concept is turned into action for our students and community. As a member of the HSI Committee, I aspire to contribute to CCD's continued journey as a Hispanic Serving Institution.

Brandon Turner

I am an adjunct instructor in the anthropology department. I've worked for CCD in some capacity since 2016 and recognize the affect the institution has on Hispanic identifying students. To be a part of HSI is to acknowledge the community and to give back to those students in a way that is culturally meaningful, impactful, and appropriate to show CCD is a staple of the community for generations to come. I am participating because it is important to address this community, especially in the uncertainty of the world today.

Crystal Hernandez

Crystal Hernandez has served the Community College of Denver for 21 years and currently works as the Student Ombuds, providing neutral, confidential support to help students navigate challenges and advocate for themselves. With deep experience supporting diverse students, she brings a holistic perspective to the HSI Committee, addressing the academic, social, and personal aspects of the student experience.

Crystal is dedicated to advancing equity, inclusion, and opportunity for Latinx and other underrepresented communities. She has assisted students facing barriers, built partnerships with colleges and local organizations, and served on the CCD Diversity and Council Board and the Denver Public School Parent Advisory Committee. A graduate of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Leadership Development Program, she remains committed to fostering a campus environment where all students feel supported, empowered, and poised to achieve their fullest potential.