School of Education Dean Frances Contreras takes part at UC Chicanx/Latinx Leadership Summit

By Carol Jean Tomoguchi-Perez
December 16, 2024

On December 2-3, the fifth annual UC Chicanx/Latinx Leadership Summit was held at UC Davis.  The summit, hosted by the UC Chicano/Latino Advisory Council, brings e together faculty, staff and administrators across the University of California system to identify systemwide challenges and opportunities affecting the Latinx community. This year's theme, Floreciendo en Comunidad (Flourishing in Community), highlighted the importance of growth, collaboration, and collective action to advance equity and representation.

UC Irvine School of Education Dean Frances Contreras was an active summit participant, speaking on day one at the morning plenary session "Examining Latino Leadership in UC: Opportunities for Interrupting Limited Representation." On day two, she served as moderator for the session, "Latina/e Voices: Leadership & Intersectionality."

Reflecting on the summit, Contreras shared: 
"The Systemwide Chicanx/Latinx Summit at UC Davis offered key leaders from across the UC system to discuss the critical issues facing Latine leaders across the UC system, including representation, mobility, and the need for greater supports for Latina/o leaders to serve what has now become an HSRI (Hispanic Serving Research Intensive) system. In this policy environment, we remain steadfast in our commitment to equity and justice."

“The annual systemwide convening is a critical opportunity to connect, support and empower Latinx faculty and administrative leaders across the system," said Stephanie Reyes-Tuccio, vice provost of educational and community partnerships at UC Irvine. "The Summit promotes best practices, calls attention to needed reform and creates momentum for positive change at the campus and systemwide level."

From left: Dr. Mayté Freitas, Staff Advisor to the Regents, Professor of Medicine David Hayes Bautista, UCLA, Jose Hernandez, Astronaut and UC Regent, and UC Irvine School of Education Dean Frances Contreras.

The summit was further distinguished by the presence of four UC Regents: Janet Reilly, Chair of the UC Regents; Maria Anguiano, Vice Chair of the UC Regents; Jose Hernandez, Astronaut and UC Regent; and Dr. Mayté Freitas, Staff Advisor to the Regents.

The event underscored the collective efforts within the UC system to support Latinx leadership, address systemic barriers, and foster inclusive opportunities for growth across UC campuses.