Arlene Cano Matute named executive director of UCLA’s Latinx Success Center

By Kayla McCormack | April 28, 2025

Community-based scholar and practitioner Arlene Cano Matute began her tenure today as the inaugural director of the Latinx Success Center (LSC), which opened on campus last month. She brings with her years of experience and a deep commitment to Latino student success.

Raised in California’s Imperial Valley, Cano Matute has dedicated her career to cultivating connections in spaces of intersectionality and cultural exchange. She completed her undergraduate and doctoral degrees at UC Riverside, where she served as assistant director in Chicano student programs and co-founded the university’s Hispanic-Serving Institution committee. 

Her research focuses on the experiences of Latino scholars in Hispanic-Serving Research Institutions (HSRIs), with the goal to impact educational policy and practice. She is particularly interested in how students thrive in Hispanic-Serving Institutions, emphasizing access, retention, persistence and empowerment.

“I am thrilled to join the UCLA comunidad in celebrating this milestone. The opening of the Latinx Success Center reflects the dedication of many individuals committed to the success of Chicanx and Latinx students,” Cano Matute said.

“The center will serve as a transformative space where undergraduate and graduate students can thrive academically, socially and personally,” she added. “The LSC will proudly reflect the Latinx experience by celebrating diverse voices, fostering innovative practices and delivering comprehensive support that aligns with UCLA’s status as an emerging HSRI.”

The Latinx Success Center aims to be a beacon of student support and empowerment, providing resources and opportunities that celebrate and uplift the Latino community.