About
Our Mission
The mission of El Centro is to provide support for all students and to deliver educational programs and services for anyone wanting to connect with the Latinx/é, Afro-Latinx/é, Chicanx/é, and Hispanic communities at CSU and Fort Collins. The Center does this by encouraging student engagement, academic success, cultural pride, empowerment, and volunteer/leadership opportunities.
Who are we?
El Centro is energetic and welcoming to students who are excited about Colorado State University. We have resources to support personal, social, cultural, and academic needs to empower all students while promoting personal growth. We offer a place for discovering heritage, traditions, cultural awareness, and a multi-layered educational experience.
Students can visit El Centro to relax, socialize, laugh, have dialogue, and build life-long memories. With dedication and motivation, we do all we can to assist students to be successful at Colorado State University. El Centro is a family, a “home away from home,” a place that provides a sense of belonging for students!
We are excited to welcome all students to engage with El Centro!
1964 – 2009
In 1964 PROJECT GO was developed in an effort to incorporate the needs of all students in an academic setting, specifically targeting students from ethnically minoritized backgrounds and/or low income households. Its purpose was to identify and encourage economically disadvantaged students to continue their education beyond high school and to provide them with financial aid and academic support. In 1979 PROJECT GO became the Group Advocacy Program which comprised five offices: El Centro/Chicano Student Services, Black Student Services, Native American Student Services, Disabled Student’s Programs, and Women’s Programs. Over the next few decades, the name changed from El Centro/Hispanic Student Services, El Centro Student Services, and finally El Centro in 2009. Along the way, the mission of El Centro affirmed our place on campus that welcomes and empowers all students!
2009 – Present
It was at this time that the Group Advocacy Program became known as the Student Diversity Programs and Services (and eventually the Cultural Resource Centers) and all seven offices represented under this umbrella also had a name change to signify unity. No matter the name of our office, the purpose of El Centro has always been to welcome, encourage, support all students and promote the Latinx culture within the University. We assist all students in all subject areas in developing the skills necessary to achieve academic success at CSU. The staff strives to provide individual assistance in an effort to improve students’ knowledge and study skills. As we continue to preserve our history, we create an atmosphere that is safe and fosters mutual respect and dignity.
In 2019, Dr Guadalupe Salazar, our long-time director who started working in El Centro in 1987, retired. From 2021 to 2023, Dora Frias, CSU alumnus, took over the role of director.
Extended History
1936: Jovita “Hazel” Vallecillo Lobato is the first Mexican American to graduate from Colorado State University, then called Colorado Agricultural College.
Circa 1968: Project GO is provided temporary funds by the University to focus on enrolling economically disadvantaged students.
1968-1969: The Black Student Alliance (BSA) and the Mexican-American Committee for Equality (MACE) come together to continue to advocate for equal access to higher education.
1969: Claude Gallegos becomes the first director of Project GO.
1974: Mary Ontiveros began working as a research associate and administrative assistant for Project GO, launching her more than 45-year career at CSU.
1975: CSU hosts the first Semana Chicana, a week dedicated to the Chicano Movement.
1976: El Centro is founded as “El Centro/Chicano Student Services,” and Abel C. Amaya is named first Director. Our sibling center, Black Student Services, is also founded and Vivian Kerr is named first Director.
1976: our mentoring program is created as a central part of El Centro’s focus on the university’s Land Grant Mission.
1979: PROJECT GO expanded to five offices known as the Group Advocacy Programs: El Centro/Chicano Student Services, Black Student Services, Native American Student Services, Disabled Student’s Programs, and Women’s Programs.
1979: Larry J. Estrada begins his 10-year career as Director of El Centro.
1981: the earliest known newsletter from El Centro is published, titled, “La Voz Estudiantil,” focused on sharing campus-wide resources. El Centro continues to curate and send a newsletter.
1989: our long-time director, Dra. Guadalupe Salazar, began her 33-year tenure as director, after starting as Coordinator in 1987.
1992: the Elizabeth Woodworth Scholarship was endowed.
2009: the Group Advocacy Programs became known as the Student Diversity Programs and Services.
2009: El Centro becomes known simply as “El Centro.”
2015: “Adelante Con Nuestra Familia” becomes the first, campus-wide program expanding the onboarding of new students to include Spanish-Speaking families.
2021-2023: Dora Fras begins serving El Centro as its fourth Director.
2023: the Student Diversity Programs & Services became the Cultural Resource Centers.