- HETS celebrated its Winter Board Meeting with 36 representatives connected virtually.
With attendance of 36 out of 42 presidents and representatives from our institutional members; HETS celebrated its second virtual winter Board Meeting on February 5, 2021 through the Zoom platform. The Board meeting discussed the first semester of academic year 2020-2021, the fourth year of the Strategic Plan 2017-2021. With a positive report on our Strategic plan results, including the increase of the use of our online resources, while envisioning to continue with new projects for next semester, including more webinars and continue offering our online workshops initiative.
Among the initiatives, HETS shared with the Board, were highlighted the major activities to support the organizational programmatic goals such as the publication of the Fall Issue of the HETS Online Journal in another special collaboration with HACU and additional tools and services that were enhanced to the HETS Virtual Plaza. Other initiatives included the Student Leadership Showcase held online in September in Spanish for Puerto Rico and Latin America, and in October in English for the United States, and the 2021 Virtual Best Practices Showcase Conference and Opening Session.
During the meeting, HETS Chair Dr. Carlos Morales welcomed the representatives of two of the ...
- HETS successfully inaugurated the 2021 Virtual Best Practices Showcase with more than 100 attendees at its Opening Session.
The 2021 Virtual Best Practices Showcase was inaugurated with its Opening Session held on February 4, 2021 via Blackboard Collaborate with more than 100 attendees from 23 different institutions and organizations in Puerto Rico, the US and Latin America. This opening session was a panel presentation titled: Strategically Use Technology to Support, Drive, and Optimize Retention of Online Students and the Learning Gap as a Result of the Pandemic. The panelists shared their perspective and answers questions about this important topic. The panel was composed of international experts from HETS members institutions including: Dr. Maritza Rondón, Chancellor of the Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Dr. Omayra Caraballo, Vice president of Distance Learning, Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, Dr. Alice J. Casanova, Dean, Distance Learning at EDP University, Mr. Carlos Guevara, Director, Office of Educational Technology Co-Director, Center for Teaching and Learning Hostos Community College (CUNY), and Mr. Francisco García, Director, Center for Online Learning & Teaching Technology, University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley. The panel was moderated by Dr. Juan “Tito” Meléndez- Alicea, Professor, Faculty of Education, Rio Piedras Campus, and ...
- Save the Date and register for the 2021 Virtual Best Practices Showcase.
HETS members register free of charge.
We are pleased to invite you to Save the Date and register to participate in the 2021 HETS Virtual Best Practices Showcase that will be held from February 4- February 12, 2021. This Best Practices Showcase will open with a panel presentation focused on the conference main tracks: Innovation, Retention, and Online Learning and Technology Integration, scheduled from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (EST) on February 4, 2021. Besides, more than 20 presentations were evaluated and selected to be part of this Virtual Showcase. See all the topics and presenters’ information on the following link:
2021 Virtual Best Practices Showcase Schedule
As you may see, this event is a combination of live and asynchronous online presentations that highlights and celebrates the outstanding work of HETS member institutions in meaningfully and strategically using technology to achieve Hispanic student success. The event is free of charge for HETS members (HETS members should use an institutional email to register in order to apply for the discount coupon code assigned to your institution). Non-members can register for $75.00 to get access to the Opening Session and all tracks presentations ...
- HETS launches a special testimonial campaign to share the experiences of those who benefited from its services.
A special testimonial campaign was launched to share the experiences of those who had used and benefited from HETS services. For more than 27 years, HETS has constantly worked to fulfill the need of its membership and its constituencies. On these difficult times that all institutions are facing in a new academic scenario, HETS services became especially vital. HETS staff had the opportunity to talk to those who the Consortium serve, who has benefited from its services and initiatives. Among the participants of the campaign are HETS Board Members, which are the presidents of the universities or colleges affiliated, who were asked about the attributes that members enjoy the most and what motivates them to join the Consortium.
On the other hand, HETS had the opportunity to offer more than 20 online webinars to administrative and faculty members on different topics in both English and Spanish languages. For the students, HETS celebrated two Student Leadership Showcase events and more than six webinars, in English and Spanish, in which more than 1,000 students from Puerto Rico, United States, and Latin America enjoyed ...
- Invitation to submit Proposals for the HETS 2021 Virtual Best Practices Showcase.
Don’t miss the opportunity to share your expertise submitting a proposal for the 2021 Virtual HETS Best Practices Showcase on or before December 4, 2020. You can download the Call for Proposals document or submit online your proposal (either in English or Spanish) on the following link: 2021 VBPS Call for Proposals.
The 2021 HETS Virtual Best Practices Showcase will be held from February 4 – February 12, 2021, focused on three main tracks: Innovation, Retention, and Online Learning and Technology Integration. We invite you to save these dates to take advantage of all the presentations of this Virtual Best Practices Showcase. HETS seeks to highlight and celebrate the outstanding work of its member institutions in meaningfully and strategically using technology to achieve Hispanic student success. This event will be a combination of live and asynchronous online presentations. To learn more about this event visit: 2021 VIRTUAL BEST PRACTICES SHOWCASE.
See below the details of the event:What: 2021 Virtual HETS Best Practices Showcase When: February 4 to 12, 2021 Where: Virtual Conference (Online). After selecting the proposals, the event Schedule will be published ...
- Fall Issue, Volume XI, of the HETS Online Journal in another special collaboration with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).
Pamela Vargas, HOJ Chief Editor
Dr. Marcela G. Cuellar, Invited Co-Editor
Welcome to the Fall 2020 edition of the HETS Online Journal! Like everything in 2020, it’s been a challenge This edition marks the second time that HETS and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) have collaborated to bring you an even more informative Journal. By working together, we can offer a larger variety and number of articles. The HETS Journal recognized the valuable collaboration of Dr. Marcela G. Cuellar from the University of California, Davis, who represented HACU as an invited editor.
As always, the Journal focuses on ensuring the success of Hispanic students in higher education, which is at the core of the missions of both organizations. Many of the articles include the use of technology in student success, while all include information designed to help Hispanic students access higher education and succeed in their studies. In light of the pandemic and all of the other challenges of recent months, learning from the experiences of others has become even more vital. In this edition, you’ll find the following articles:
1- A National Portrait ...
- HETS proudly joins the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.
Being HETS the first bilingual consortium dedicated to serving the higher education needs of the Hispanic communities, HETS Executive Director has published a short video about the importance of Hispanics and their contributions to the society to join this important festivity. We are pleased to celebrate the history and culture of the U.S. Latino (or Latinx) and Hispanics communities annually, as part of the Hispanic Heritage Month observed from September 15 to October 15. Is important to commemorate how those communities have influenced and contributed to American society at large. This month it’s also representative of the anniversaries of several Latin American countries’ independence celebration within the 30-day period. Congratulations to all!
We invite you to see the video that emphasize some of the most important contributions and characteristics of the Latinx /Hispanic community that had made them earn the respect and reputation such as their drive to achieve their goals. HETS is constituted by more than 40 higher education institutions in Puerto Rico, United Sates and Latin America. Now more than ever, we provide essential services focused on institutional and ...
- Se celebra la séptima edición el HETS Student Leadership Showcase con más de 350 participantes
Más de 350 estudiantes se conectaron para participar de la séptima edición del HETS Student Leadership Showcase: Llevando tus metas a otro nivel, el 18 de septiembre de 2020 vía Zoom. Puede ver la grabación del evento en el Student Leadership Showcase bajo el Tab de SLS PR & LA. El propósito principal del evento fue promover la gran variedad de servicios disponibles libre de costo para apoyar las metas académicas de los estudiantes e incrementar las oportunidades de éxito. Como en eventos anteriores, participaron estudiantes de las instituciones afiliadas en Puerto Rico: American University, Atenas College, Colegio Universitario de San Juan, EDP University, Humacao Community College, Ponce Health Science University, National University College, ICPR Junior College, Universidad Ana G. Méndez, Universidad Carlos Albizu, Universidad Central del Caribe, Universidad de Puerto Rico, y la Universidad Interamericana de PR. Además, participaron de otras instituciones invitadas de Puerto Rico y por primera vez participaron estudiantes de nuestras instituciones miembros en México: la Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara y de Colombia: la Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia. Acceda aquí la grabación del evento.
El evento comenzó con una ...
- HETS offerings for Fall semester to support its members locally, nationally, and internationally.
This Fall semester, HETS commitment will be to continue providing support and services to its member institutions and academic communities, locally, nationally, and international challenged to offer their courses remotely in this academic scenario. This requires training and skills that allow in these environments to achieve equal results or the same objectives that are achieved in face-to-face courses. As a pioneer organization in the use of technology in higher education with enormous expertise and services ready to be used by our academic communities, HETS announces its offering for the Fall semester that includes the following:
Free webinars with HETS Student Ambassadors to promote services free of charge at the Student Placita in the HETS Virtual Plaza, and expert resources in topics like leadership, entrepreneurship, job search, among others.
Virtual Student Leadership Showcases in Spanish and English for PR, Latin America, and the US, to reinforce student leadership skills and promote HETS services and tools free of charge for them.
More than 10 webinars in Spanish and webinars in English regarding Distance Learning and related topics to support faculty and administrators on this new ...
- HETS news about the international student’s government policy
Thousands of international students in the U.S. relief of being deported
The Hispanic Educational Technology Services (HETS), committed to expanding educational opportunities and higher education for the Hispanic community, is pleased to learn about the decision that brings relief to thousands of international students who had been at risk of being deported. More than 1,000,000 international students enroll in the U.S. institutions, based on the 2018-19 academic year data from the Institute of International Education. Hispanic students represent almost 7% of this amount precede by Asia with 70%, Europe and, Middle East/North Africa with 8% each.
“As Chairman of an organization focuses on Hispanics that helps with the integration of technology in education; we praise the legal effort of hundreds of universities to defend international students forced to transfer or leave the country if their schools held classes entirely online because of the coronavirus pandemic” commented by Dr. Carlos Morales, HETS Chair. Under this policy, international students would have been forbidden from taking all their courses online this fall. Besides, new visas would not have been issued to students at schools planning to ...
- HETS Executive Officers elected during their first ever virtual Board Meeting on summer 2020.
HETS Executive officers’ election were held during an historically virtual Board Meeting celebrated through Zoom digital platform, on June 25, 2020. More than 30 Board Members and special guests connected from Puerto Rico, United States and Colombia. As part of the meeting agenda, Dr. Carlos Morales, President, TCC Connect Campus of Tarrant County College from Texas, was elected as HETS Chair. Collaborating with Dr. Morales will be, Mr. Manuel J. Fernós, President of the Inter American University of Puerto Rico, as Vice Chair, Eng. Gladys Nieves, President of EDP University as Treasurer; and Dr. Carlos Vargas, President of Southeast Missouri State University as Secretary. Elected as Regional Representatives were: Dr. Tomás Morales, President, California State University San Bernardino; Dr. Havidán Rodríguez, President, University at Albany (SUNY); and Dr. Maritza Rondón, Chancellor of the Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia. All appointments will start term on July 1st, 2020 for two years as stated in HETS Bylaws. We would like to recognize the hard work and commitment of the past officers during their tenure. We truly appreciate that they will be continuing serving as officers in a new role. To learn more ...
- HETS Leadership Perspective during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ever since its inception in 1993, the Hispanic Educational Technology Services (HETS), formerly known as Hispanic Educational Telecommunications System, has been a pioneer in supporting the development of distance learning initiatives across colleges and universities in Puerto Rico, mainland United States, and Latin America. Although HETS support and value has been widely known among it’s members for more than 25 years, the organization’s goal is to increase it’s relevance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Officers of the HETS Board of Directors, constituted by the presidents or designated representatives of each member institution, were interviewed to learn their perspective about the impact of HETS membership on their institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of this HETS Leadership Perspectives series, interviews in Spanish and English were held with HETS Chair, Dr. Carlos Vargas-Aburto, President of Southeast Missouri State University, and Vice Chair Dr. Carlos Morales, President of Tarrant County College Connect Campus. HETS also conducted interviews in Spanish with Manuel J. Fernós, President of the Inter American University of Puerto Rico, HETS Treasurer and one of HETS’s first officers, and Eng. Gladys Nieves, ...
- Call for Articles for the Volume XI of HETS Online Journal in another special collaboration with HACU
I am pleased to announce the call for articles for the Volume XI of HETS Online Journal in another special collaboration with HACU. This is a result of a successful Fall 2019 Issue publication together. This joint effort highlighted both organizations shared missions to facilitate the success of Hispanic students in higher education, particularly on this new academic scenario due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
We invite you to download the guidelines to submit your article for this Fall Issue is on or before September 25, 2020. Your submission should be an original work either in English or Spanish. Just send it to the HETS office via e-mail to: info@hets.org. The HETS Online Journal is included in EBSCO Publishing’s databases, and its mail goal of is share best practices and the latest information in higher education and showcase the exciting work being done by our colleagues.
This time, this special collaboration welcome Dr. Marcela G. Cuellar from the University of California, Davis, who will represent HACU as invited editor. Dr. Cuellar will work with the Editor in Chief, Pamela Vargas, and members of
the Editorial Board: Dr. Ana Milena Lucumi, Mr. Sunil Gupta, Dr. ...
- Update on HETS services offered due to COVID-19
Following the guidelines of the HETS Treasurer and President of the Inter American University of Puerto Rico (our host institution), Manuel J. Fernós, Esq., since March 16 we have been working remote to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and support the academic community in this new scenario. Consequently, HETS staff were totally committed to continue offering our services that includes the following (click on the links to learn more):
A total of 23 tutorials in Spanish and English were recorded with HETS Ambassadors students and published to promote services free of charge at the Student Placita in the HETS Virtual Plaza.
Two Student Leadership Showcase Tour Online were held on May 1 and 8, 2020 trough Zoom to more than 500 students to reinforce their leadership skills and promote HETS services and tools totally free of charge for them.
A total of 10 webinars in Spanish and 4 webinars in English regarding Distance Learning were offered to more than 4,000 participants to support faculty and administrators on this new modality.
The Spring Issue, Volume X of the HETS Online Journal was published with nine ...
- HETS anuncia fechas del Student Leadership Showcase Tour Online (1 y 8 de mayo de 2020).
Estudiante, te invitamos los viernes, 1ro de mayo de 2020 y el 8 de mayo de 2020 a las 11:00 am (EST) a participar del HETS Student Leadership Showcase Tour Online, a través de Zoom. El propósito del evento es desarrollar el liderazgo estudiantil y tendremos como invitado al Prof. Albert Troche, miembro del Comité Asesor de HETS y al Dr. Joe Díaz, respectivamente. También, queremos promover el acceso a servicios en línea libre de costo que apoyen tu carrera profesional. Estos servicios incluyen: información sobre becas, internados, herramientas tecnológicas, prácticas de exámenes y mucho más. A su vez, queremos conocer tus intereses y necesidades para poder colaborar en la búsqueda de soluciones y servicios que te apoyen. Este evento es libre de costo, solo tienes que registrarte para recibir el enlace de Zoom para poder conectarte y participar del evento. Debido al espacio que brinda Zoom, solo podrán participar 400 estudiantes del evento en vivo. Ver los detalles del evento aquí:
Día: viernes, 1ro de mayo de 2020 (Ver grabación aquí)
Hora: 11:00 am a 12:00 pm (EST/hora de PR)
Lugar: vía Zoom (400 ...