New Law Review Explores Hispanic-Serving Excellence at UC Davis
The history of Avanza and the leadership that helped shape UC Davis' journey as a hispanic-serving institution
A new essay in the UC Davis Law Review by Distinguished Professor of Law Raquel Aldana explores the evolution of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and the role they play in advancing educational equity. Advancing Hispanic-Serving Excellence traces the civil rights history behind the HSI designation while reflecting on UC Davis' own journey toward becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution and the institutional transformation that continues beyond the designation itself.
Central to the essay is the leadership of former UC Davis School of Law Dean Kevin R. Johnson, whose decades-long commitment to mentorship, inclusive excellence and public service helped shape many of the principles reflected in UC Davis' HSI journey. Aldana highlights Johnson's contributions to expanding access to legal education, supporting first-generation and undocumented students and advancing scholarship on immigration and racial justice throughout his career.
Through the lens of UC Davis' HSI efforts, Aldana revisits the university's 2019 Hispanic-Serving Institution Task Force Report and the vision it established for expanding opportunity, strengthening belonging and fostering student success.
The essay places UC Davis within the broader national history of educational equity, connecting decades of advocacy for students with the growing movement to reimagine how colleges and universities serve increasingly diverse communities. By connecting to a broader legacy of equity-focused leadership and institutional change, Aldana offers a timely perspective on the opportunities and responsibilities that accompany serving students and the people of California.
Media Resources
The article, “Advancing Hispanic-Serving Excellence: Honoring a Dean’s Legacy” was originally published on the UC Davis Law Review website; our story includes a canonical tag to the complete article.