Support Page Content
Support Services
About El Centro Serna
Our mission goes beyond individual growth - it reflects our commitment to fostering community and belonging for the nearly 40% of Latine students at Sacramento State, while warmly welcoming all students to engage, learn, & celebrate Latine culture.
SELF-ADVOCACY | EMPOWERMENT | BELONGING | CIVIC ENGAGEMENT | LEADERSHIP
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The Story of the Sun & Roots
The Sun and Roots logo represents the journey of our students and the generations that came before them.
The sun symbolizes life, warmth, and possibility. Across Latin American and Indigenous cultures, the sun represents guidance, protection, and renewal. It rises every day, just as our students rise again and again despite obstacles. At El Centro Serna, the sun reflects hope, joy, and the belief that every student deserves to shine.
The roots represent ancestry, history, and resilience. They remind us that no one arrives at Sacramento State alone. Each student carries the strength of parents, grandparents, and ancestors who dreamed of opportunity, crossed borders, worked long hours, and sacrificed so the next generation could thrive. Even when unseen, roots hold everything steady.
Together, the sun and roots tell a powerful story: We grow toward the light because we are grounded in something deeper.
El Centro Serna is where both are honored. Here, students are encouraged to reach for their future while staying connected to who they are and where they come from.
The logo also reflects the Serna family’s legacy: a commitment to education, community, and uplifting future generations. Like roots feeding a tree and the sun helping it grow, this space exists to nurture Latine students so they can rise, lead, and give back.
Academic
- Advising Guidance
- Financial Aid & Scholarships Guidance
- Internship/Job Search Assistance
- Career Exploration & Guidance
- Civic Engagement & Advocacy Support
Physical Space
- Lounge area with couches, study desks, lap desks, whiteboards
- Daily snacks and a coffee/tea station
- Workstation Cubicles
- Access to reserve the Dolores Huerta Boardroom
- Access to reserve the Serna Center Lounge
- Workstation with Printer
Programs & Events
Signature Programs
- Community Building Series: Café y Conversación (Coffee & Conversation)
- Celebrating Latine Hornets Social Media Series
Signature Events
Fall
- La Bienvenida (The Welcome)
- Latine Heritage Month
- Dia de Los Muertos Celebration
Spring
- Spring Welcome (Open House)
- Chicanx/Latinx Recognition Ceremony
Services
Academic Advising | Academic Advising Center
El Centro Serna has acquired an academic advisor from the Academic Advising Center to support students with general education and graduation requirements. The advisor engages students in a developmental process that helps them clarify and implement individual educational plans consistent with their skills, interests, and values. An academic advisor is available at El Centro Serna each week to conveniently provide their services. Please see the schedule below to Make an Appointment.
Weekly drop-in schedule (appointments preferred):
Areli Pinedo
Academic Advisor for El Centro Serna
- Mondays (Virtual) | 8 a.m – 12 p.m. via Zoom
- Wednesday (Virtual) | 8 a.m – 4 p.m. via Zoom
- Thursdays (In-person) | 1 – 4 p.m at El Centro Serna