Senator Alex Padilla Promises $1M To CSUN Innovation Hub

NORTHRIDGE, CA — Senator Alex Padilla promised the California State University, Northridge $1 million as part of a larger, $254 million financial package to support Hispanic Serving Institutions across the country, according to CSUN Today.

California has 175 Hispanic Serving Institutions, according to a news release from Padilla's office, which all promote Latinx and historically underserved students' success at institutions of higher education.

The money will go to the school's Global Hispanic Serving Institution Equity Innovation Hub, which was announced in August. The hub is meant to help Latinx and other historically underserved students through science, technology, engineering and mathematics education and career building.

The initiative is in partnership with Gov. Gavin Newsom and Apple Inc. Padilla's federal funding will supplement the existing $25 million from Apple to prepare the initiative for its launch.

“As the first Latino to represent California in the U.S. Senate and one of the few Senators with an engineering degree, I know firsthand the importance of increasing diversity in the institutions that shape our society," Padilla told CSUN Today. "The Global HSI Equity Innovation Hub is a smart investment that will increase student success and equip Latinx and other diverse student groups with the skills necessary for high-demand careers in STEM.”