Dr. Linda McKenna Gulyn, Professor of Psychology at Marymount University, attended the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) 38th annual conference earlier this month in Aurora, Colo., representing Virginia’s first and only Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). The event gathered leaders from over 600 HSIs across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, along with advocates, policymakers and industry representatives, to promote educational and career opportunities for Hispanic students and their communities.
“I’m excited for the Marymount community to collaborate and strengthen efforts related to our status as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, learn lessons from fellow HSIs nationwide and fully engage with HACU to make a difference in the lives of our Saints,” she explained.
Below are five key takeaways from the conference Dr. Gulyn believes could benefit Marymount and its Hispanic students.
- Federal government career pathways
The conference underscored the importance of increasing Hispanic representation in the federal workforce, with many employment opportunities available just a short Metro ride away from Marymount’s campus.
“Our proximity to the nation’s largest employer presents extraordinary career opportunities for students of all majors,” Dr. McKenna Gulyn said, describing the possibility of guiding Marymount’s Hispanic students towards meaningful, impactful careers in government service.
Marymount has already taken significant steps to provide students with access to these opportunities through the efforts of the Center for Career Development and Community Engagement. Recent initiatives include partnering with HACU to hold on-campus information sessions about HACU internships, highlighting these internships in weekly newsletters and providing direct guidance to students through tailored workshops, résumé reviews, one-on-one guidance and during events like Marymount’s Student Research Day Career Fair.
- Strategic grants for student success
Dr. McKenna Gulyn stressed the importance of pursuing foundation and corporate grants tailored to support Hispanic student engagement and retention. She highlighted grants that fund initiatives in areas like behavioral health, where Marymount already has strong programs in psychology and counseling, and completion grants aimed at helping students graduate.
“We should build on what Marymount does well and make it even better,” she noted.
Through its HSI status, Marymount has already received a National Science Foundation grant to support its Engineering program and has established a fellowship program for Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduates with grant funding from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), among other initiatives. These efforts represent just the beginning of an expanded focus on securing grant opportunities that enhance academic success and open new doors for students.
- HACU’s National Internship Program
The HACU National Internship Program offers paid federal internships to students throughout the year. The program supports students throughout the process, from application to housing and transportation. Internships are open to all eligible students, not just those who identify as Hispanic.
“With around 500 internships awarded annually, Marymount is in a prime position for our students to take advantage of these opportunities,” Dr. McKenna Gulyn advised, adding that students need a 3.0 GPA and must be eligible to work in the U.S. to apply.
- Expanding international engagement
Dr. McKenna Gulyn echoed HACU President Antonio Flores’ call for more international opportunities in 21st-century education and hopes to see an expansion of Hispanic faculty and administrators. She also envisions further exploring Fulbright initiatives such as scholarships and building relationships with institutions in Hispanic countries.
Marymount has a strong recent history of engagement with Fulbright initiatives. In 2019, the University welcomed a Fulbright Visiting Scholar from Hungary who researched educational motivation. Two years later, Marymount hosted a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant from Egypt who taught Arabic through a U.S. Department of State-sponsored program. Additionally, two Marymount faculty members, Dr. Adam Kovach and Dr. Kathleen Garces-Foley, received Fulbright awards to study in Hungary.
Looking forward, Dr. McKenna Gulyn sees an opportunity to refocus on these initiatives and prioritize Fulbright opportunities to further enrich Marymount’s global perspective and open new pathways for students, faculty and staff.
- Celebrating the strengths of Hispanic students
Addressing Marymount’s Hispanic students, who comprise 43 percent of the University’s undergraduate student population, Dr. McKenna Gulyn celebrated their bilingual skills and cultural experiences as a unique advantage.
“Your language skills and cultural background are your ‘superpower,’ setting you apart from your peers,” she said. “With HACU’s resources and a Marymount education, your future is bright. ¡Sí se puede!”
Dr. McKenna Gulyn’s participation at the HACU conference highlights Marymount’s commitment to enhancing opportunities and fostering success for its diverse student body. As an HSI, Marymount continues prioritizing the upward mobility of Hispanic students and enriching its academic community.
