Bill > S3642

Introduced Session

This bill requires the Secretary of Higher Education and public institutions of higher education to develop programs for improving Hispanic and Latino representation in higher education leadership positions. Under the bill, the Secretary of Higher Education, in consultation with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, is directed to establish a targeted leadership development program that prepares Hispanic and Latino faculty for leadership positions at public institutions of higher education in the State. Additionally, the bill requires the secretary to establish a program that develops or expands pipelines that guide Hispanic or Latino undergraduate students into academic careers. The bill requires each public institution of higher education to adopt policies and procedures to promote diverse representation reflective of the student body and the State on any search committee convened for a senior administration or leadership position at the institution. Under the bill, the Secretary of Higher Education is required to establish a program to assist public institutions of higher education in the recruitment and retention of Hispanic and Latino faculty and staff into leadership positions at those institutions. The purpose of the program is to develop guidance and strategies for the institutions to: · identify and mitigate cultural and institutional barriers experienced by Hispanic and Latino faculty and administrators which may negatively impact the recruitment and retention of those individuals into leadership positions at public institutions of higher education; · provide institutional support and professional development opportunities specifically designed for Hispanic and Latino faculty and administrators;· promote opportunities for academic alliances and collaborative partnerships to share best practices, resources, and support for increasing Hispanic and Latino representation in institution leadership; and · conduct an ongoing review of the effectiveness of the institution's diversity programs and initiatives. The bill requires each public institution of higher education to implement a program to increase the recruitment and retention of Hispanic and Latino individuals into leadership positions at the institution. Finally, the bill requires each public institution of higher education to submit an annual diversity report to the Secretary of Higher Education. The report will include, at a minimum:· the racial and gender composition of all leadership positions at the institution; and· a review of the diversity program implemented pursuant to the bill's provisions. The bill directs the secretary to compile the annual diversity reports submitted by the institutions and submit a summative report annually to the Governor and the Legislature.

Committee Categories

Teresa Ruiz (D)*,  Joe Cryan (D), 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Higher Education Committee (on 09/19/2024)

Official Document