Dr. Arlene Cano Matute | 2023 Latina of Influence
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Arlene Cano Matute co-founder and co-chair of the University of California, Riverside HSI committee and the Assistant Director in the office of Chicano Student Programs University of California Riverside has been selected as a Hispanic Lifestyle 2023 Latina of Influence. Ms. Cano Matute will be recognized for her leadership in our community during Hispanic Lifestyle’s Latina Conference 2023 to be held on November 9, 2023 at Wilson Creek Winery, Temecula, California.
Dr. Cano Matute is the co-founder and co-chair of the University of California, Riverside HSI committee and the Assistant Director in the office of Chicano Student Programs. As the current co-chair of the UCR HSI Committee, she has originated various significant campus-wide initiatives that embed a culture of Servingness, building on the HSI scholarship, her work and research centers Chicanx/Latinx scholars through a socio-historical and localized context. She serves as an advisory board member for the University of California HSI Initiative through the UC Office of the President. Is a member of the Southern California Consortium of Hispanic Serving Institutions, working collaboratively with state organizations and agencies to support member institutions’ HSI missions and goals. She is also an Alliance for Hispanic Serving Institution Educators member, presenting her research and collaborative HSI leadership framework (In Progress) alongside UC HSI leaders at the recent national conference.
In the office of Chicano Student Programs, Dr. Cano Matute has various responsibilities. She develops, plans, implements, and evaluates programs, services, initiatives, and activities for Chicanx/Latinx students, staff, alumni, and faculty. As the key architect in developing programs and practices, Dr. Cano Matute serves as the subject-matter expert on UCR Chicanx/Latinx undergraduate and graduate student success. She analyzes campus-wide needs as well as institutional and national data to develop a programmatic and intentional response that addresses cross-issue social justice, intersectionality, equity, inclusion, and belonging for Chicanx/Latinx scholars at UCR. Additionally, she oversees the department’s outreach and retention efforts, founding various successful programs such as the Chicano Link Peer Mentor Program, the ADELANTE! Academic Success Series & Graduate School Preparation Program and co-founded the Queer, Trans, Chicanx/Latinx annual statewide conference, ¡PRESENTE! in 2017.
Through an asset-based and holistic approach, Dr. Cano Matute provides academic support services, culturally affirming programming, and strategic direction that validates minoritized students as holders and producers of knowledge, empowering Chicanx/Latinx scholars’ academic self-concept, social agency, and identity.
In recognition of her accomplishments, Dr. Cano Matute received the UCR Staff Assembly Diversity Award, received the UCR Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Trans Resource Center Ally of the Year Award, and was an inaugural fellow of the UC HSI Research Apprenticeship program.
Nominated by Jenniemarie Ramirez
