Our Story

Nuestra Historia: A Legacy of Advocacy, Belonging, and Empowerment at UC Santa Cruz

1960s

The fight for educational equity and social justice emerged from the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960’s and other movements, including the Chicano Movement, that spread throughout the country. Threats to educational diversity and inclusion are historical and continual; yet student-led movements have long advocated for the establishment and expansion of spaces that reflect and support the lived experiences of historically marginalized communities.

1994

In 1994, Francisco Hernandez was appointed Vice Chancellor for Students at UCSC. Recognizing the need for cultural and academic support for Latiné students, Francisco, students, faculty, and staff founded the Chicanx/Latinx Resource Center—better known as El Centro. Under his leadership, the Latiné student enrollment steadily increased, and the Educational Partnership Center was created to foster outreach and collaboration with local high schools and communities.

“Students needed a landing place,” Francisco said. “A place that was as close to home as possible. Because they were going to be away from home. A gathering place to talk to each other because at that time there were so few Latino students”
“There were pockets of energy that we needed to bring together. El Centro is a unifying place—a place to take you from being mad about something to I’m going to do something about it.” he said.

1995

In 1995, El Centro officially opened its doors, with Dr. Larry Trujillo—an advocate who had already laid a foundation at UC Berkeley—serving as the founding director of the Chicano Latino Student Development Office. Housed at Merrill College, El Centro at UCSC became a community hub for Chicanx and Latiné students navigating a predominantly white institution.

Early 2000s

Throughout the early 2000s, El Centro grew, not only in size but also in the number of students it supported. In 2000, Yesenia Cervantes was brought on as Program Coordinator, and by 2001, the Baytree Building was constructed. The Ethnic Resource Center opened on the third floor, envisioned as a shared space for El Centro, the American Indian Resource Center, the Asian American Pacific Islander Resource Center, and the African American Resource and Cultural Center. A shared space for separate entities where students and staff could work together and foster coalitions and solidarity across communities.

2003

In 2003, Rosie Cabrera became the Director of El Centro, UC Santa Cruz’s Chicano/Latino Resource Center—a role she embraced with passion and dedication for over a decade. As both Director and a longtime counselor and academic coordinator with UCSC’s Educational Opportunity Program, Rosie Cabrera mentored, guided, and inspired generations of students for nearly 30 years. That same year, Eddie Cervantes joined as Program Coordinator, and beloved programs such as Pan Dulce Fridays, the César Chávez Convocation, the Chisme newsletter, and La Bienvenida: Fall Student Welcome (formerly the New Student Welcome Carnaval) were launched.

2005

In 2005, students took a bold step to secure the future of these centers by passing Measure 15: Community and Resource Empowerment (CARE) Fund. This student-led initiative established a quarterly fee to support E^2 outreach programs and the Resource Centers.

2008

By 2008, Pachanga was launched in partnership with the AARCC, created to uplift Afro-Latiné culture and visibility. The event celebrates the existence of African identities and cultures in Latin America, which endures and thrives despite the impacts of Spanish colonization.

2009

El movimiento didn’t slow down. In 2009, UCSC students once again mobilized—this time in protest of budget cuts. The Student of Color Collective, alongside faculty and staff, rallied at the base of campus. Two dozen students began a hunger strike, demanding the full restoration of funding and staffing to student services such as Community Studies, Latin American Studies, Ethnic Resource Centers, and Educational Opportunity Programs.

Students shared: “It is essential that we conserve these centers as they are a vital piece in the retention of students.”

2011

In 2011, students organized a sit-in at the ERC lounge, demanding the creation of a Critical Race and Ethnic Studies department and additional resources for the Ethnic Resource Center.

“The ERCs were created from the same struggle for Ethnic Studies that began in 1979… It is necessary to recognize the interconnectedness that binds the two together.”

2012

By 2012, UCSC’s Latiné undergraduate enrollment reached 25%, the third UC to become an HSI. This milestone was the result of years of outreach by students, staff, and faculty, alongside the continued growth of the Latiné population in California. The HSI Task Force–now the HSI Leadership Committee, comprised of faculty, staff, and students is committed to ensuring Latiné students take active part in the UCSC community, find success in their educational journey, and graduate to make an impact in the world. At the core of our commitment is a willingness to reexamine our traditional educational systems and explore new ways to provide resources and support to students who have not received them historically.

2013

In 2013, Dr. Judith Estrada, who was mentored by both Rosalee Cabrera and Dr. Larry Trujillo, became El Centro’s new director. That same year, a Graduate Student Coordinator role was established to support the growing needs of Latiné graduate students. The MAPA Title 5 Project, UCSC’s first HSI grant, reinstated the Program Coordinator position, expanding El Centro’s capacity once again.

Today

New leadership and new voices continued to guide the center. In 2018, Carlos Gutierrez joined as Program Coordinator. Our current Director, Xiomara López, returned to UC Santa Cruz in January 2022. She attended UCSC during her undergraduate career, where she also interned for El Centro. That same year, UCSC alumna and former Centro intern, Jailene Tzintzun, was hired as Program Coordinator, bringing in leadership rooted in student voice, communal care, reciprocity, and a social responsibility to serve our students and their families.

Thanks to the efforts of previous and current generations, our cherished Centro traditions continue to thrive, providing affirming spaces for our students. Our Día de los Muertos Ceremonia now draws over 2,000 attendees to the Quarry Amphitheater, and this year marks the 53rd celebration of the Chicanx Latinx Year-End Ceremony.

For over 30 years, hundreds of passionate students—many as academic interns, volunteers, and coordinators—have poured their time and energy into advocating for the center. They’ve imagined, created, and brought to life thousands of programs, events, and outreach efforts, all rooted in a deep commitment to community, justice, and fostering the next generation of Latiné scholars.