The Roberto Hernandez Center: From 12 Latino Students to Over 2,500

Alberto Maldonado, director of the Roberto Hernandez Center, reflects on the impact of the 1970 movement led by Latino students, which paved the way for Latinos to receive a higher education degree at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee. 

Currently, the Roberto Hernandez Center provides academic services and support to over 2,900 Hispanic students, according to recent UW System data (Fall 2020). 

However, this was not always the case. 

In 1970, the Latino community in Milwaukee rose to a population of over 30,000. Latinos were immigrating from Mexico, Texas and Puerto Rico, but the most dominating factor was the vibrant culture of the city’s South Side.

But only 12 Latino students were enrolled in the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee.

“All the Latino students, out of 25,000 could sit around one table, and we wanted something done,” said one of the leaders of the movement, Jesus Salas, in an ​​interview.

In UWM, resources for Latino students were non-existent. With few Latino students, there were no bilingual faculty or staff, no Latino administrators and essentially, no place for the students.  

“Fifty years ago, the need was very apparent, and the community wanted a place that they could gravitate towards and receive unique services,” said Maldonado.

Members of the Committee for the Education of Latin Americans (CELA) proposed to house a center on campus called the Spanish Speaking Outreach Institute (SSOI) because of the lack of resources for Latino students on campus.

“There isn’t anyone that participated in those activities that can say that they weren’t afraid,” said Salas. “But you’re more afraid of not having your rights…then, you gain strength from the community itself.”

The Dean of the School of Education, Richard Davis, made a promise that the Spanish Speaking Outreach Institute would be supported, but when they approached UWM Chancellor J. Martin Klotsche, they were met with resistance from administrative staff, which prompted various protests. 

The next day, a meeting was scheduled with Chancellor Klotsche, but Klotsche did not attend the meeting. 

According to activists, Chancellor Klotsche constantly refused to meet with the Latino students.

On August 27, 1970, about 150 Latino students staged a sit-in inside the chancellor’s office in Chapman Hall, led by Salas.

Chancellor Klotsche was supposedly on vacation, but with the knowledge of what was happening on campus, he called and spoke with Salas. 

Members of the movement led by Roberto Hernandez staged sit-ins, protests and campouts in response to UWM administration.

In the protest, 5 students were arrested, including Salas, but the protest continued.

“Their voices weren’t heard, and it gets to that point where they take actions in their own hands,” said UWM student Jesus Ulises.

After being released, several individuals returned to UWM and camped on the grass in front of the Chancellor’s office for many nights. 

Protesters, including students and community members, marched up Lake Drive and protested outside the Chancellor’s residence. 

On October 23, 1970, an agreement was announced to establish an institute for Latino students. UWM would employ a director, an assistant director, a teacher, a secretary, and a counselor. 

On November 1, 1970, UWM officially opened the Spanish Speaking Outreach Institute on campus, which is now the Roberto Hernandez Center. By the mid-1970s, over 400 Latino students were enrolled in UWM.

“Those who fought for the creation of the center have the same value that we hold today, which is to be a bridge for the community and a place that is welcoming to families and students with diverse needs,” said Maldonado.

Seeing the need to revitalize the Spanish Speaking Outreach Institute in the ’90s, Roberto Miranda, a student activist, alongside others, proposed the creation of the Roberto Hernandez Center. 

“Our importance has elevated to the degree where we have to make ourselves more resourceful and even more present, both in the community and on campus, to mitigate and to help advance the needs of our students and our community,” said Maldonado.

Created in 1996, the Roberto Hernandez Center now houses bilingual staff including a director, Alberto Maldonado and two Multicultural Student Success Coordinators, Gabriela Dorantes and Monica Olague.

“This is a safe place where people help each other and build each other up,” said Olague. “It truly feels like a family.”

The RHC offers advising, multicultural support, programming, scholarships, a large study space with computers for students to use, and a private study room.

“Although the university is predominately white, knowing that you are recognized is important because it shows that the university recognizes that I am here, and acknowledges that I need assistance because my voice also matters,” said Ulises.

The RHC’s mission is to offer academic services that promote Latino student success, to engage in outreach to the Latino community and beyond, and to support applied Latino research.

“Having Latino staff is crucial for student development in academics and personally because they understand the issues that I might be facing as a Latino student,” said Ulises.

According to UWM student Cristina Marquez, the RHC connects you back to your home while you’re on campus.

“The space is important because not only will you meet your friends, but you will also become family,” said Marquez.

The RHC staff is constantly setting goals for the future. 

“Every year we strive for students to be supported appropriately through our culturally competent staff, and as we move forward to the future, that we can increase the capacity that we have to serve even more students, as Latinos continue to grow in UWM,” said Maldonado.