CSUB Unveils La Casita Latinx Cultural Center
California State University, Bakersfield opened a new campus space for Latino students to gather and celebrate their heritage.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Hispanic
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Cal State Bakersfield unveiled La Casita, a Latinx cultural center, on campus on a Thursday morning. The space gives students, faculty and staff a dedicated place to gather and celebrate Latino heritage.
Why it matters
Students said the lack of a physical gathering space made it difficult to come together around their culture. For Bakersfield, where the university serves a large Latino student body, the center addresses a long-felt need for community on campus.
About 70% of CSUB students are Latino, and the university holds Hispanic-Serving Institution status, which allows it to apply for federal grants aimed at student success. The center's ongoing budget and staffing arrangements were not detailed.
The players
California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB)
A public university in Bakersfield, California, serving a student body that is largely Latino and holding federal Hispanic-Serving Institution status.
The details
La Casita includes a lounge, art from across Latin America, study rooms and a play room for children of parents who attend CSUB. Students, faculty and staff gathered for the unveiling on the Bakersfield campus.
Timeline
Thursday morning, November 5, 2026: CSUB unveils La Casita on campus.
Culture Shift
CSUB's status as a Hispanic-Serving Institution under Title V of the Higher Education Act ties its federal grant eligibility to the size of its Latino enrollment. La Casita reflects how campuses with that designation are building physical spaces for the students the designation was created to serve.
Latino students at CSUB now have a dedicated campus lounge, study rooms and a space for children of student parents. The center is intended to make it easier for students to find community on campus.
The takeaway
A dedicated gathering space can make it easier for students to find community and celebrate their heritage on campus. Students who want to get involved can look to the center as a place to connect with peers.
Further reading
For more on Latino community life in the region, explore Hispanic coverage on Wisevoter.
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Should colleges with large Hispanic enrollments be doing more to support those students?
