Through Hispanic Eyes

This program is designed for institutional leaders who are interested in improving the conditions for Latine/Hispanic students and colleagues at their institutions.

“Wartburg Theological Seminary is a proud supporter of the Hispanic Scholars Program. In addition to the positive experiences our students have had in the various course offerings, I am an alum of Through Hispanic Eyes, one of the signature programs of the HSP. It was such an informative, constructive program for me, not only because I learned a great deal about the past and current context of Latine theological education, but also because as Wartburg seeks to become more welcoming and hospitable to Latine students, it was really insightful to hear first-hand from those who have experienced that context from the inside. Finally, I can’t say enough about the networking and the personal connections I made. In theological education, we are better together as institutions, and so to be able to build bridges with other institutions and other individuals, particularly those who come out of a Latine background, was a fantastic experience for me. I highly recommend Through Hispanic Eyes as a program and strongly encourage support of the Hispanic Scholars Program in general.” – Kristin Johnston Largen


Program Description 

Through Hispanic Eyes is a cultural competency training program for higher education that the HSP has facilitated for over two decades. Participants in this workshop are institutional leaders who come together to learn about higher education insights from Latine/Hispanic leaders and the particularities of the Latine/Hispanic experience in university and seminary programs. This program overlaps with our Summer Session program so THE participants have the opportunity to engage graduate students in higher and theological education from across institutional contexts. Participants consistently report our THE program as among the most helpful and meaningful programs in which they have ever participated.

Program Dates and Location

  • Date: June 17 – 20, 2026
  • Location: Villanova University

Program Fee

  • $750 for participants
  • The program fee includes the cost of room, board, travel, and all program activities including facilitation

Program Eligibility 

  • This program is open to institutional leaders, which we define as faculty members, staff members, and/or administrators from HSP Sponsoring Schools

Program Application

  • The application is open November 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026
  • The application does not require a recommendation
  • The notification of admission is typically made within two weeks of the application closing

Once an applicant has been accepted into the program they will receive an email with a matriculation form to accept their program admission. This matriculation form includes the process for paying the Program Fee and is due 2 weeks after the notification of admission.

The HSP accepts the following payment methods for the Program Fee after an individual has been accepted into the program:

  • Check: Please make checks payable to the Hispanic Scholars Program and mail to: Hispanic Scholars Program (42 Tiemann Place, Ste 310 New York, NY 10027)
  • PayPal: Payments may be submitted via PayPal using an existing account or by creating one and linking your credit card
  • Zelle: Zelle payments may be made to admin@hispanicscholarsprogram.org 

Please contact the HSP administrator, Elizabeth Niang (eniang@hispanicscholarsprogram.org), if you have any questions regarding payment options.

  • Travel: After you have been officially accepted to the program, submitted your matriculation form, and submitted the program fee, you may proceed with purchasing your travel to the program location. Upon purchasing your travel, you must submit your full travel itinerary via email to the HSP administrator, Elizabeth Niang (eniang@hispanicscholarsprogram.org).
  • Housing: All housing for the duration of the program is coordinated directly by the HSP. We recognize that travel schedules may require some participants to arrive prior to the program start date or depart after the program concludes. If you require housing outside of the official program dates, we will work with you to coordinate accommodations. Please note that the cost of any additional housing will be deducted from your travel reimbursement.

Since its first Summer Session in 1989, the Hispanic Scholars Program (HSP) has sought to be a place of welcome in which theological education is made available to all students. In keeping with this commitment, the HSP does not discriminate in its admissions or program practices on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, disability, or any other status protected by law. Applicants are evaluated using program-related criteria such as academic preparation, vocational interest, character, and commitment to theological study. The HSP has always served students, faculty, staff, administrators, and leaders from a wide range of backgrounds. Guided by the values of en conjunto (working together as a community), lo cotidiano (attending to the realities of daily life), and acompañamiento (walking alongside one another), we affirm that all people are created in the image of God and journey together in learning and faith.

Facilitators

Dr. Eduardo Fernández, S.J.

Professor of Pastoral Theology and Ministry

Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University

As Professor of Pastoral Theology and Ministry at the Jesuit School, Fr. Fernández teaches such courses as Church, Mission and Cultures; Intercultural Ministry: Parish, Campus, and Classroom; Latino/a  Theology Seminar; Sacraments in Latino Context; and often supervises doctoral students in creating and teaching innovative courses, for example, Decolonizing Mission; and Theology and Ministry in the Age of Migration. He specializes in Hispanic/Latinx theology, Mexican and U.S. History of the Southwest, social justice, inculturation, and the celebration of sacraments in intercultural contexts.

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Rev. Dr. Gregory Cuéllar

Associate Professor of Old Testament

Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

This year’s THE will be led by Rev. Dr. Gregory Cuéllar, Associate Professor of Old Testament at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and Dr. Eduardo Fernández, S.J., Professor of Pastoral Theology and Ministry at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University. Both individuals come to Through Hispanic Eyes with a wealth of scholarly expertise and practical experience in pedagogy, cross-cultural communication, and higher education administration.

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