A Message from UCF’s Senior Director for Grant Initiatives and Partnerships
¡Saludos! I am proud to lead grant initiatives and partnerships that drive wide ranging impact across our university and region, including our Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Initiatives. As a federally recognized HSI that aims to SERVE our Hispanic, low-income, and all our students, our team works collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to advance UCF’s academic mission at all levels. All partnerships are realized through an interdisciplinary, asset-based approach that promotes a meaningful UCF learning experience for all. I invite you to read on and consider partnering with Grant Initiatives and Partnerships. Looking forward to many continued possibilities ahead! ¡Vamos Knights!
Cyndia Morales Muñiz, Ed.D.
Senior Director, Grant Initiatives and Partnerships
HSI@ucf.edu
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About Grant Initiatives and Partnerships
The Office for Grant Initiatives and Partnerships provides guidance to faculty, staff, and administrators, who are interested in strategic grant-funded efforts that advance access and the student success priorities of the university.
This includes helping identify, develop, and manage grant opportunities across federal, philanthropic, and corporate sectors, as well as cultivating and sustaining partnerships with internal and external stakeholders. Grant-funded initiatives center evidence-based high impact student success programs and professional development for faculty and staff and may be supported by funding sources geared toward supporting under-resourced populations.
HSI Certification
Dr. Cyndia M. Muñiz, Senior Director of Grant Initiatives and Partnerships, is the the Authorized Organizational Representative/Signatory for Hispanic/Minority Serving Institution Certification Forms and Eligibility Letters.
As of March 1, 2019, investigators applying for sponsored projects are required to submit HSI/MSI certification/eligibility requests to HSI@ucf.edu at least five (5) business days prior to when they are due to the Office of Research.
When requesting a signature on a certification form or an eligibility verification letter, please submit or provide access to:
- the Request for Funding Proposals (RFP) (referencing the page numbers where eligibility requirements and definitions can be found); and
- a proposal draft (referencing the page numbers where HSI wording is included)
- a signed SERVING Statement (below).
Department Research Administrators and/or Proposal Specialists should not provide any HSI certification to faculty members without first contacting Dr. Muñiz for eligibility review and determination of what documentation is most appropriate for the submission.
When Dr. Muñiz is unavailable for an extended period of time (as determined by away message), Celeste Rivera-Núñez, Director of Sponsored Programs in the Office of Research, will serve as the backup signatory.
Programs
Latinx Leadership
The purpose of this program is to explore the notion of social change and to challenge students to see themselves as agents of that change. Students will develop their understanding of Latinx leadership through Juana Bordas’ book “The Power of Latino Leadership”, while also learning more about identity, history, and current issues within the Latinx community.
CREAR Futuros
CREAR Futuros, which means “To Create Futures” in Spanish, is a peer-mentor based initiative designed to improve the success of all students who participate. CREAR (College REadiness, Achievement and Retention) Freshmen/Sophomores will be paired with knowledgeable and highly trained upper-classman UCF Peer-Mentors that will introduce them to campus resources and offer insight on how to make the most out of their UCF experience.
Read the CREAR Futuros Brochure
Learn more about CREAR FUTUROS.
Nuestra Celebración
Nuestra Celebración is a culturally inspired celebration of academic achievement. It is a bilingual, cultural program where Latin American flags are displayed with pride. Most importantly, it inspires confianza through active family participation in the program. Nuestra Celebración does not replace the university’s official commencement ceremonies or any college specific celebrations. It provides an additional space and opportunity to celebrate in a meaningful way. This program is hosted by UCF’s Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives in partnership with the Latino Faculty and Staff Association and other campus partners.
HSI Battle of the Brains
The annual HSI Battle of the Brains competition, serves as a Hispanic-Serving Institution academic national championship, as well as a recruiting showcase of top Hispanic/Latinx talent from colleges and universities across the country. Grant Initiatives and Partnerships sponsors the participation of a student team annually and works in partnership with UCF’s College of Business Administration and the College of Engineering and Computer Science to ready students for this experiential learning experience.
Resources
The Office for Hispanic Serving Institutions Initiatives has put together a few resources as references to support all of our campus partners in developing their HSI efforts and/or strategies. These resources are meant to provide a starting point. All departments are encouraged to schedule an HSI consultation for a more in-depth conversation about defining SERVING in each respective area.
¡Excelencia In Education! HSI 2022-2023 List R1 Hispanic Serving Institutions: Potential for Growth and Opportunity Florida Briefing on 25 Years of HSIsCampus HSI Resources
UCF Connect – ConeXiones Resource Guide Housing Viewbook 2021-22 – Spanish Office of Student Involvement Brochure – SpanishData
UCF faculty and staff members interested in internal data that can help inform HSI/MSI grant proposals and other projects are encouraged to utilize IKM’s Interactive Facts and the OEAS Knowledgebase to obtain supporting information.
Note: Click on the images below to go to dashboard and portal sites.
Departmental or program specific information can be requested via the IKM Data Request Form
Partnerships
Florida HSI Consortium
The goals of the FL HSI Consortium are to:
- Generate knowledge on southeast HSIs to expand HSI scholarship;
- Promote the role and impact of Florida HSIs in social mobility and state economic development goals;
- Develop leadership at Florida HSIs through networking and professional development offerings;
- Increase collaboration with industry partners and non-profit organizations in pursuit of federal and foundation funds for Florida HSI capacity building; and
- Strengthen student outcomes at Florida HSIs through shared opportunities for students.
Title V
Title V of the Higher Education Act (HEA) is a federally funded grant program designed to assist colleges and universities in improving the higher education of Hispanic students in the United States.
