The Ghostlight Project from 2017 included a gathering of campus and community members who pledged to stand for and protect the values of
inclusion, participation, and compassion for everyone.

Adams State University has been a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) since 2000. In honor of Hispanic Serving Institution Week and National Hispanic Heritage Month, the Adams State Office of Title V Grant Initiatives will host free events for campus and community members, from September 8 and September 14.

Marcella Garcia, Title V director of the Caminos Activity and Unidos Equity Institute, and Ana Torello, Title V Conexiones Co-Activity and Unidos Activity director, have worked with other departments on campus to provide a variety of activities that will demonstrate what equity engagement looks like at Adams State.

Garcia said events were planned around the theme, “What are the Benefits of Creating an Equity Minded Community through the Initiatives at an HSI.” The Title V Grant Initiatives Office offers opportunities for faculty and staff to learn more about equity and inclusivity through special one-time grants. “There are many perks and advantages in being a faculty member of an HSI,” Garcia said. “For example, faculty members receiving grant funding for supplies and equipment or guest presenters for seminars, or workshops, professional travel, or classroom and lab upgrades.”

HSI week kicks-off with the second annual Adams State Theatre Ghostlight Project. A reception will begin at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, in the Theatre Building. Led by Dr. John Taylor and inspired by the tradition of leaving a “ghost light” on in a darkened theatre, campus and community members will make or renew a pledge to stand for and protect the values of inclusion, participation, and compassion for everyone regardless of race, class, religion, country of origin, immigration status, (dis)ability, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

“We are rekindling the flame for this initiative,” said Ana Torello. “The Ghostlight Project will provide the opportunity for the campus and community to renew their pledges to providing a welcome and safe space for everyone.” This year, all campus academic buildings will be invited to display a “ghost light” symbolic of a safe space.

For several years, a Title V grant has helped support Kindred Spirit luncheons. On Monday, Sept. 10, in the Student Union Building banquet room, Dr. Brian Zuleger, assistant professor of human performance and physical education, will present on minority student-athlete achievement concerns. Dr. John Taylor will also talk about the initiatives centered on issue of social justice that he has led. Both Zulegar and Taylor are recipients of Title V Equity Engagement Grants. Later that evening, a Nutrition and Equity Workshop will be held from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. in the Alamosa Presbyterian Church. Participants are invited to the workshop for a presentation by Marlayna Martinez, Cooking Matters Lead Coordinator with the SLV Local Food Coalition, followed by a potluck.

Art and music will be featured on September 11. Beginning at 3 p.m. until 4 p.m., Dr. Leslie Macklin, a Title V Equity Engagement Grant recipient, will present a hands-on workshop in the ASU Art Building, Traditions in Native Ceramics. Macklin, along with her ASU students, will lead the workshop. Starting at 5:30p.m. in Richardson Hall a reception will feature Roberto Capocchi, a classical guitarist. At 6 p.m., the Adams State music faculty will perform in Richardson Hall Auditorium, ETHOS: Exploring Equity Through Music. Dr. Matthew Valverde, Dr. Angela Winter, Dr. Beth Robison, and Dr. James Doyle; were recipients of Title V Equity Engagement Grants.

On September 13 and September 14, the Adams State Office of Title V Initiatives will host panelists followed by round table discussions. Beginning at 4 p.m. the Thursday event will feature Great Stories – Latino Males in Higher Education and Friday will feature Great Stories – Empowering Women, A Call to Action. The sharing of Great Stories will be held in Carson Auditorium and the round table discussions in the Student Union Building banquet rooms.

A bonus event, the screening of Dolores, will be held on September 26 in the ASU Theatre Building. The film features Dolores Huerta, an equal partner in co-founding the first farm worker unions with Cesar Chavez. The film reveals the raw, personal stakes involved in committing one’s life to social change.

Since 2000, Adams State University has been designated an Hispanic Serving Institution. The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) encourages all Hispanic Serving Institutions to observe National Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) week. Each year, HACU Government Relations office works with several members of Congress to recognize the contributions of HSIs in their communities and submits a proclamation request to the White House.

Other events included during the week, not sponsored by the Adams State Office of Title V Initiatives, include an SLV Scholarship Summit, all day on Sept. 12 and Food Fix Friday, at 12 p.m. Sept. 14, at the ASU CoRE CASA Center.

For more information call 719-587-7591 or 719-587-8833.