Computing Alliance of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (CAHSI)

Institution
The University of Texas at El Paso
State
Texas
Academic Level
Baccalaureate
Issue Area
Retention
Key Personnel
Program Focus
Community Partnerships / Collective Impact,
STEM

Overview

The vision of the CAHSI national INCLUDES alliance is by 2030, Hispanics will represent 20% or more of those who earn credentials in computing.  Credentials are defined as degrees and certifications that lead to gainful employment and advancement in the field.  CAHSI’s mission is to grow and sustain a networked community committed to recruiting, retaining, and accelerating the progress of Hispanics in computing.

Program Description

CAHSI's goals include supporting pedagogical and professional growth for students, expanding meaningful partnerships to align with strategic regional and national efforts.  and informing policy through evidence. 

Program strategies:

Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL): PLTL provides an active learning experience for students and creates leadership roles for undergraduates. 

Advocates: The CAHSI student advocate connects students through different channels: face-to-face interactions with students, dissemination of student opportunities via social media and email, collaborations with student organizations, and other student engagement strategies. 

vREU Program: Adapting to the new COVID-19 situation, CAHSI launched a model for a Virtual Research Experience for Undergraduates (Virtual-REUs) to prepare students for graduate studies.  vREU program integrates the Affinity Research Group Model which follows a set of practices to promote collaboration and inclusive research groups.   

Outcome

  • Based on a 2017-2018 Evaluation Report, CAHSI has achieved wide success in improving outcomes and increasing support services for Hispanics in computing:
  • Targeted efforts to improve support services for Hispanic students in computing have contributed to the increase in the total number of Hispanic graduates in CAHSI departments; in 2017, the number of Hispanic graduates increased from 2015 by 169, almost the same number as the total number of graduates in the 2015 year (198). 
  • The average graduation rate of Bachelor of Science students from CAHSI departments in both 2016 and 2017, represented a more than 50% increase of their average graduation rate in 2002.  

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