Newsletter February 2026

Led by Dr. Yufeng Wei, Dr. Wei Zhang, Dr. Jennifer Pax, and Dr. Allison Fitzgerald from New Jersey City University, this webinar explores how Community-Engaged Learning (CEL) is transforming STEM education at New Jersey City University (NJCU), one of the oldest Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) in the State of New Jersey, by leveraging evidence-based, high-impact practices. NJCU’s CEL Framework is defined as a holistic, reciprocal partnership between students, faculty, and community organizations, integrating academic learning with meaningful, real-world experiences.

During the webinar, presenters will share data from a multi-year, NSF-funded meta-analysis and campus-wide assessment, highlighting positive outcomes in academic performance, civic identity, professional development, and social responsibility. NJCU’s CEL model emphasizes asset-based pedagogy and sustained community partnerships as core best practices. We address practical challenges and provide actionable strategies for building effective CEL courses, including assessment tools, interdisciplinary approaches, and recommendations for faculty and institutional support. Attendees will gain insights into frameworks, impact, and scalable methods for advancing student success and equity in STEM through CEL at HSIs.

RSVP to receive a calendar invitation and Zoom login information

When: Friday, February 6, 2026 | 9:00 A.M. – 10:30 A.M. | Via Zoom

Our first Link and Learn Dialogue for the month of February will be held on Thursday, 2/12/2026 (12:00pmE/11:00amC/10:00amM; 9:00amP) and focuses on the topic: Collaborating with Partners in the Design of Experiences and Interventions. Following lightning presentations from speakers, there will be break-out small group conversations. 

Speakers:

Researching your own colleagues: Professional development projects at your own institution

Pryia Prasad, PhD; The University of Texas (San Antionio)

Supporting Undergraduates in Action Research to Impact Their University 

Steven Secules, PhD; The University of New Mexico

Nivedita Kumar, PhD Candidate; Florida International University

Training Students to Apply Design Thinking to Solve their Academic Challenges 

Noe Vargas Hernandez, PhD; The University of Texas (Rio Grande Valley) 

Our second Link and Learn session for the month of February will be held on Wednesday, 2/25/2026 (3:00pmE/2:00pmC; 1:00pmM; 12:00pmP) and focuses on the topic: Artificial Intelligence: How it is impacting our education practices at HSIs

Register here

What’s On Your Mind?

As we plan our next series of UNIDOS Link and Learn Dialogues, we want to ensure that the content is valuable and relevant to you.

Do you have

• expertise or knowledge on a topic you would like to share? 
• a topic you’re excited to learn more about? 

Click on this link to submit your ideas.

UNIDOS Partnership Travel Grants

Faculty, staff, and/or administrators at HSIs are invited to apply for travel grants that support cross-institutional collaboration aligned with NSF’s HSI program.

Funding covers travel for small teams to visit each other’s campuses or other relevant sites to launch new collaborations or strengthen emerging ones. These collaborations might focus on advancing STEM education research proposals or projects, undergraduate STEM education teaching practices, or other initiatives focused on undergraduate STEM education. If you’re exploring joint projects, codeveloping proposals, or building lasting networks across the HSI ecosystem, this is your next step.

Who should apply?

Small teams of faculty, staff, and/or administrators from HSIs who are committed to advancing undergraduate STEM education.

What will it fund?

Travel-related expenses for in-person meetings at partner campuses or other relevant sites. Note that this program does not fund travel to present work at conferences.

Apply by March 1, 2025 by emailing your completed application to Unidos@fiu.edu