Leading the way to becoming an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution

Weber State University has brought a new face on board to lead the charge to become an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution (eHSI).

Yudi Lewis came to Weber State in September from Utah Valley University, where she also earned two bachelor’s degrees before going on to earn a master’s in business administration and becoming a doctoral candidate in educational leadership and policy from the University of Utah.

Lewis’s goal at Weber State is to increase access and equitable opportunities for Latinos, the largest underrepresented student population in Utah.

“Weber State made a bold statement in creating this position to not only do the work that is needed to meet that population’s needs, but also to send a message to the state of Utah that we need to pay attention to this population,” she said.

In the university strategic plan, Weber State Amplified, a 5-year plan for growth, WSU has committed to increasing the percentage of students of Hispanic or Latino descent to 15% by fall 2025. To help reach this goal, the university hired Lewis as director of HSI Initiatives, thanks to a generous $500,000 commitment from Ally Financial Inc.

Recognizing the hard work that has already been done, Lewis plans to look for opportunities to advance by meeting with individuals across campus, in K–12 schools and in the community.

“We’re not just preparing students to take college classes, we’re helping Hispanics or Latinos transition from high school to a certificate or college degree to a career they’re passionate about,” she said. “We are transforming generations, one student at a time.”