History

The Chicanx/Latinx Faculty and Staff Association (CHLFSA) at Sac State has a long, powerful, and illustrious history worth documenting and celebrating. The roots of our association are found in the organizing work and activism of a group of faculty and staff who began meeting in fall 2010 to build community and advocate for the Chicanx/Latinx community. Dubbing itself the “Chican@/Latin@ Faculty and Staff Association” (CHLFSA) and led by Co-Chairs Dr. Manuel Barajas and José Martinez, the CHLFSA drafted a mission statement and began organizing around issues of concern. Some areas of concern included the declining institutional support for the Serna Center, lack of representation of Chicanxs/Latinxs in Academic Affairs, lack of equity in the allocation of professional development opportunities to faculty, loss of the Barrio Arts Program, and the lack of retention of Chicanx/Latinx faculty and staff. During spring 2011 semester, CHLFSA held a convocation to address the status of Chicanxs/Latinxs at Sac State. The event drew an audience of more than 50 people (including students, faculty, staff, and community members) and resulted in the publication of a Convocation Report that delineated recommendations for advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion on campus.  

Over the years, CHLFSA continued to meet, host events, and build community. From 2019-2020, Dr. Maria Vargas and Karina Figueroa served as co-chairs of CHLFSA. As leaders of CHLFSA, Dr. Vargas and Karina hosted monthly meetings, organized social events (e.g., Posada/Tardeada), and advocated for the Chicanx/Latinx community at Sac State. For example, they led discussions concerning the need for more Chicanx/Latinx faculty and staff, the need for more classes and curricula centered on the Chicanx/Latinx community, and staff concerns. 

During summer 2020, a time that coincided with the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, CHLFSA became an official Employee Affinity Group (EAG) at Sac State. At that time, Gerardo Cabral and I, Elvia Ramirez, served as the Co-Chairs of CHLFSA. With the support and leadership of Diana Tate Vermeire, the university’s Chief Diversity Officer, CHLFSA drafted a set of bylaws, refined its mission statement, and officially adopted the name of “Chicanx/Latinx Faculty and Staff Association.” As an EAG, CHLFSA received a university webpage, university e-mail account, and recognition as an official organization at Sac State. Furthermore, during this time, CHLFSA launched its first-ever newsletter (Noticias) and an external website. Consistent with its mission centered on social justice, from 2020-2022 CHLFSA hosted a series of events, platicas, and panel presentations that explored a wide array of topics such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Chicanx/Latinx community, Chicanx/Latinx experiences with racism and cultural taxation in academia, the Chicanx/Latinx LGBTQIA community, and other topics.

Beginning Fall 2022 semester, Dr. Heidy Sarabia and Dr. Crystal Velazquez serve as Co-Chairs of CHLFSA. Under their leadership, CHLFSA has continued with its stated mission of supporting and advocating for the Chicanx/Latinx community on campus and beyond—-and with a new logo symbolizing our commitment to change.  CHLFSA will undoubtedly continue to make history on campus and will continue to serve as a source of support and advocacy for the Chicanx/Latinx community at Sacramento State in the years to come!