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The University of Houston's Center for Mexican American and Latino Studies (CMALS) has received a significant boost in the form of a $1.2 million grant from Houston-based CFE International LLC, an affiliate of the Mexican state-owned electric utility Comisión Federal de Electricidad. The funds will specifically support the Lydia Mendoza Graduate Fellowship Program, aimed at recruiting and retaining graduate students interested in studying the experiences of Mexican Americans and Latinos in the U.S.
In a statement, Daniel P. O'Connor, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Houston, highlighted the institution's commitment to cross-cultural learning experiences, stating, "Cultural explorations are an important part of the university experience, and we are thrilled when partners such as CFE International recognize this and support our efforts."
Dr. Miguel Reyes, CEO of CFE International, expressed the company's motivation for providing the grant, stating, "We felt compelled to help fulfill the higher aspirations of students with a desire to pursue graduate studies at the University of Houston, known for its excellent education in a vibrant city with a sizable Mexican presence and with commercial and cultural ties to the US-Mexico bilateral relationship."
The Lydia Mendoza Graduate Fellowship Program, named after the renowned singer and guitarist Lydia Mendoza, aims to support graduate students from diverse cross-cultural perspectives, particularly those from Mexican American and broader Latino heritage backgrounds. Mendoza, born in Houston in 1916, achieved national fame as "La Cancionera de los Pobres" (the songstress of the poor) and was a prominent figure in the Texas-Mexico border region.
The grant comes at a time when Hispanic enrollment in higher education institutions in the U.S. is on the rise, with the Pew Research Center reporting a significant increase from 1.5 million in 2000 to 3.8 million in 2019. The U.S. Census Bureau data from 2022 shows the Hispanic population at 63.7 million, making it the nation's largest racial or ethnic minority, comprising 19.1% of the total population.
The Center for Mexican American and Latino Studies at the University of Houston, established in 1972, continues to advance knowledge, promote critical thinking, and foster community service through its interdisciplinary academic programs. The generous grant from CFE International will undoubtedly contribute to the center's mission of supporting graduate students in exploring and understanding the experiences of Mexican Americans and Latinos in the U.S.