Vanguard University Launches Historic Business School for Latinas

Categories: College University AthleticsCollege/University NewsEducation

Students celebrating the opening of the first business school named after a Latina at Vanguard University.

News Summary

Vanguard University has unveiled the Patty Arvielo School of Business and Management, the first business school in the U.S. named after a Latina. Set to open in the 2024-2025 academic year, this initiative reinforces the university’s dedication to increasing educational opportunities for its Latino student body, which comprises approximately 47% of its enrollment. The announcement was celebrated at a significant event, highlighting the importance of representation and support for Hispanic women in higher education.

Costa Mesa, CA – Vanguard University has announced the launch of the Patty Arvielo School of Business and Management, making it the first business school in the United States to be named after a Latina. This landmark establishment is part of Vanguard’s ongoing efforts to enhance educational opportunities for its diverse student body, which includes approximately 47% students who identify as Latino. The school is set to officially open in the 2024-2025 academic year and will offer both undergraduate and graduate programs.

The announcement took place during a surprise event on April 19, which was attended by nearly 800 students and supporters. This significant milestone highlights Vanguard University’s commitment to increasing representation and support for Hispanic women in higher education and leadership roles across the nation.

The establishment of the Patty Arvielo School is part of an academic restructuring at Vanguard University as it celebrates the 50th anniversary of its highly enrolled business program. The university offers degrees in accounting, business administration, management, and marketing, positioning itself as a leader in business education.

In conjunction with the new school, Vanguard University has also launched a Leadership and Latina/o Identity course, which culminated in a completion ceremony for 37 first-year and transfer Latino students. During the ceremony, Vanguard’s President, Michael Beals, discussed the historical context of the university’s leadership, noting that of the ten presidents since 1920, only one has been a woman, and all have been white. He expressed his hope that within two presidential terms, a Latino or Latina could become president of Vanguard, citing the approximately 47% Latino student population.

As part of the Leadership and Latina/o Identity program, students were provided with crew-neck sweatshirts and laptop sleeves as graduation gifts. The program focused on key topics such as cultural identity, emotional intelligence, mentorship, and legacy building, aiming to empower Latino students with the skills necessary for effective leadership.

Dr. Michael Jimenez, an associate professor, served as the keynote speaker at the completion ceremony, reflecting on his collaboration with students during the university’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program, focusing on the life of Dr. Jesse Miranda.

Celina Canales, who became the director of the Jesse Miranda Center for Hispanic Leadership in August 2022, is instrumental in expanding the Leadership and Latina/o Identity initiative into a credited course that spans a student’s college experience. Canales also leads university engagement and has previously worked as the director of academic operations.

The significance of the Patty Arvielo School extends beyond Vanguard University, as Patty Arvielo co-founded New American Funding, the largest Latina-owned mortgage company in the U.S., which has a servicing portfolio exceeding $63.9 billion. Arvielo expressed her gratitude for the establishment of the school and emphasized the importance of sharing her story to empower future generations.

Vanguard University also has a long history of receiving Title V grants aimed at expanding educational opportunities for Hispanic students, demonstrating its commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within its academic community. Approximately 25% of first-generation college students in the U.S. are Latino, making Vanguard’s efforts particularly significant.

Immediate tasks for the Patty Arvielo School’s launch include appointing a transitional dean and conducting a national search for the founding dean, expected to be completed by Fall 2024. The establishment of this new institution is set to play a vital role in shaping the future of business education, leadership, and representation for Hispanic students and the broader community.