La Vida Dominican Receives Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Marin's Business Diversity Award

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Marin has recognized Dominican University of California and La Vida Dominican with the 2023 "Outstanding Business Diversity Award." 

“Dominican University of California embraces a vibrant and diverse student community. In particular, we want to recognize your commitment to serving Latino students, becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and for your program, La Vida Dominican,” the chamber noted. “This exceptional program, made possible through HSI grant funding, illustrates the strong priority that Dominican University gives to its Latinx and BIPOC student community, which aligns with the mission of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Marin.”

In 2022, Dominican earned a Minority Serving Institution (MSI) designation from the U.S. Department of Education. Under the broader MSI designation, Dominican qualified as both a Hispanic Serving Institution and an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution, with more than 25% of undergraduate students identifying as Latinx and more than 25% identifying as Asian American or Pacific Islander.

Since achieving MSI status, Dominican has been awarded two U.S. Department of Education grants in support of La Vida Dominican programming for both undergraduate and graduate students.

The five-year $3 million La Vida Dominican grant is supporting the expansion of undergraduate programming and the introduction of initiatives to increase first-year and transfer enrollment and improve retention and graduation rates for Latino students.

The five-year $3 million La Vida Dominican Postbaccalaureate grant supports scholarships and financial aid for assistantships and clinicals, as well as student services and programs focused on access, connection, success, and completion for graduate students.

Both the undergraduate and graduate La Vida Dominican programs are designed to empower academic success, cultivate a strong sense of belonging, and support personal and professional growth within the University’s Latinx and BIPOC community. The La Vida team includes staff and faculty committed to culturally inclusive and holistic programming, integrative coaches embrace their multicultural identity, and peer mentors who identify as students of color, first-generation, and bilingual.

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Marin’s mission is to support, advance and promote the growth and success of Hispanic/Latino-owned businesses and professionals through collaboration, networking opportunities and access to resources that will increase the visibility of Latino professionals in Marin.

Pictured left-to-right: La Vida integrative coach Melinda Martinez-Becker; President Nicola Pitchford; La Vida Program Chair and Faculty Lead Lucia León; La Vida integrative coach Josue Castillo.