
HSI Research Collaboration Conference
“Cultivating Comunidad: Strengthening Ties Through Research, Innovation, and Funding”
September 2 – 4, 2025
J.W. Marriott Hotel
Anaheim, CA
Cultivating Comunidad is a 2-day convening for HSIs from the US west coast to identify synergies and forge research partnerships and collaborations across our landscape of public and private, 2- and 4-year institutions. All HSIs and emerging HSIs from California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, and Alaska are welcome!
Join your colleagues to:
- Collectively define how we SERVE students, faculty, our local communities, and the nation’s workforce through the research enterprise.
- Learn about funding opportunities from federal and private agency program directors
- Share best practices for undergraduate research, industry partnerships, and inclusive collaboration at HSIs
- Meet potential collaborators in your region
Agenda at a Glance – coming soon
Registration
Registration is $125 and includes:
- access to all presentations
- an evening reception on 9/2
- breakfast and lunch on 9/3 and 9/4
- opportunities to have individual meetings with funding agency program directors
Hotel Reservation
The J.W. Marriott hotel block is from September 2 to September 4 for $229-$279 per night. The discounted room rate is available 3 days pre and post-event dates (subject to hotel availability). A link to the hotel reservation page will be inlcuded in your registration confirmation email.
The HSI Research Collaboration Conference is hosted by a committee from the University of California Santa Barbara, California State University Northridge, Contra Costa Community College District, and San Diego State University. For more information, contact: Anissa Stewart, (805) 893-4434, anissa.stewart@ucsb.edu
Confirmed Presenters

Luis Maldonado
Vice President for Government Relations and Policy Analysis,
American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU)

Anne Marie Nuñez
Inaugural Executive Director of the Diana Natalicio Institute for Hispanic Student Success
Distinguished Centennial Professor in Educational Leadership and Foundations
The University of Texas at El Paso
Program Directors from:
- Russell Sage Foundation
- Spencer Foundation
- Luce Foundation
- Mellon Foundation
