EWS Faculty Member Appointed to Co-Chair Latino Faculty Fellowship Program

Associate Professor José Aguilar-Hernández in the Department of Ethnic and Women’s Studies has been appointed co-chair of the American Association for Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE) Faculty Fellows Program (FFP). As a former fellow himself, he said he looks forward to giving back to FFP, which was instrumental in his trajectory to receive tenure last summer. 

“I was honored when AAHHE leadership offered me the opportunity to serve as co-chair of FFP for the 2021-2023 term,” said Aguilar-Hernández. “Between 2017 to the present, I have been engaged with the organization as a member and faculty mentor to junior faculty and graduate students. I have remained connected to this organization because it centers professional development and mentorship for Latina/o/x graduate students, faculty and administrators.”  

AAHHE's mission is to respond to the U.S. demographic shift of Latinos representing the largest minority population. At the same time, Latinos continue to be underrepresented in tenured faculty positions and university administration roles. By utilizing research, networking, mentorship and outreach programs, AAHHE seeks to increase Latino representation in higher education. 

FFP engages tenure-track faculty members in a series of workshops and mentorship sessions that promote their success to receive tenure at their institutions. FFP fellows are paired with a senior colleague in their field or area of research interests and they receive one-on-one support.   

The program serves as an opportunity for fellows to create community with other Latino tenure-track faculty members across the United States and engage them in conversations related to the common challenges that minority tenure-track faculty confront in the tenure-track process. 

Further, fellows present their research and receive feedback from their peers, program co-chairs and senior faculty. The FFP provides tenure-track faculty with the tools and strategies to ensure they receive tenure, thereby helping to diversify the professoriate.  

“As a first-generation college graduate and faculty member, AAHHE's vision aligns with my own -- a commitment to bring change to higher education so that we can better serve our diverse student body,” said Aguilar-Hernández. “This commitment must include supporting, retaining and mentoring minoritized tenure-track faculty members.” 

Aguilar-Hernández said FFP is currently accepting applications for the 2021-2022 term. In order to be considered for the program, the applicant must be a Latina/o/x enrolled in a tenure-track position beyond one year by the start of the new FFP term. The candidate must also exhibit a track record of service and mentoring to the Latina/o/x community. The deadline to submit an application is June 15, 2021. Visit AAHHE's website for more information.  

Aguilar-Hernández has been teaching in the Department of Ethnic and Women’s Studies since 2014. He earned his doctorate in education and master’s degree in Latin American studies from UCLA. He is the author of several publications that focus on social movements, educational history, pedagogy, critical race theory, historical methods and gender and sexuality. His most recent publications include, “Resisting the Death of Diversity: A Historical Analysis of the Formation of the César E. Chávez Center for Higher Education at Cal Poly Pomona” in the Latino Studies Journal and “It Shaped Who I Am: Reframing Identities for Justice Through Student Activism” in the Association of Mexican American Educators Journal.  

For more information about his publications and work with AAHHE, email Associate Professor Aguilar-Hernández at jhernandez@cpp.edu.