Hispanic Profs Open Homes To Aggies – Texas A&M

Hispanic Heritage Month got off to an especially hospitable and personal start in Aggieland Thursday evening when two longtime Hispanic professor/administrators opened their homes to a host of students—perpetuating a tradition they began four years ago. They now have hopes of expanding the number of participating students and faculty.

Dr. Luis Cifuentes and Dr. Victor Arizpe and their wives, who live next door to one another, welcomed into their homes a host of Aggies—mostly but not all Hispanics—as part of a program known as “Mi Casa Es Su Casa”—translated “my home is your house.”

“Mi Casa Es Su Casa,” part of the Memorial Student Center Committee for the Awareness of Mexican-American Culture ( CAMAC ) at Texas A&M, is primarily intended to develop a support system for freshmen and transfer students, noted Liliana Garcia, the student who chairs MSC-CAMAC this year.

“Mi Casa Es Su Casa” has been kicked off each year with patio dinners at the adjacent homes of Dr. Arizpe, professor of Hispanic studies; his wife, Norma Arizpe, a senior lecturer in Hispanic studies; Dr. Cifuentes, professor of oceanography and interim vice provost, and wife, Dr. Lauren Cifuentes, associate professor of educational psychology.

Other Texas A&M Hispanic faculty members have joined in by hosting every-other-month sessions for smaller student groups throughout the school year.

The faculty members and CAMAC leaders say they hope to expand the program to include even more faculty and more students.

“This program is in a sense having a home away from home for these students, particularly those entering as freshmen or as transfer students,” Cifuentes said, adding that it gives them “a welcoming environment.”

Arizpe agreed, saying “As members of the Mexican American / U.S. Latino Faculty Association ( MALFA ), we have enjoyed coming together to create a welcoming and supportive environment for Hispanic students by bringing them into our homes. One of our primary goals is to let students know that we care for their success at Texas A&M University and that we are here to help.”

Daniel Hernandez, MALFA facilitator this year, joined in the welcoming program and cited its benefits. “The initiative is an excellent opportunity to create significant and value added relationships between students and faculty that will enrich the A&M experience for all concerned. Students in particular will learn the benefits of building relationships that willenhance them academically, socially and professionally,” he noted.

Cifuentes and Arizpe emphasized that the core of the “Mi Casa Es Su Casa” program is the cadre of other volunteer faculty members who take up the hosting and related work after the fall kick-off session.

“Mi Casa Es Su Casa” is receiving funding assistance this year from the Texas A&M Office of Admissions & Records as part of its retention program designed to keep students in school and on track to graduate, Garcia said.
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