Tucked into the heart of Costo Hall, Room 145 hums the kind of energy that can only come with belonging. Laughter spills out of the Chicano Student Programs (CSP) office, blending with the quiet study sessions and conversations that drift from schoolwork to stories of home. For many, it’s more than just a campus resource; it’s a sanctuary.
For Christian Lopez, a second year pre-business major, the connection began with a simple visit. He stopped by CSP because he felt disconnected – caught between the excitement of college life and the question of not knowing where he belonged. The campus felt big, the faces unfamiliar and the sense of community he’d known back home seemed out of reach during his first quarter at the University of California, Riverside (UCR). So, he decided to stop by CSP, hoping to find a space that felt more like him. He commented, “Even on my first day [at CSP] I made my closest [friends].”
That sense of immediate community defines CSP. Beyond offering free printing, study spaces, testing and study materials, it provides something harder to find — a home. 
“It gives off a home-y vibe,” stated Montzerrat Nolazco, second year business marketing major. “Everyone’s welcoming [and] it’s a place where you can study, laugh or just exist comfortably.”
Her friend, Elena Versage, agreed: “It’s a home away from home, you walk in and see people who look like you, who get you. That’s powerful.”
With roughly 40% of UCR’s student body identifying as Hispanic, CSP plays a central role in uplifting one of the largest communities on campus. “Being Hispanic in 2025 means being bold and loud about where you come from,” explained Lopez. “It’s about showing the world what makes you you.”
That energy shines through in CSP’s various programs. The center hosts cultural programs such as the “Bienvenidad,” a lively welcome celebration filled with food, music, dance and tabling by different Chicano and Latino clubs on campus. Towards the end of the year, CSP even hosts an annual end-of-the-year event that celebrates graduating Chicano and Latino Highlanders alongside their families in a ceremony rich with cultural pride and tradition.
The center’s work goes beyond celebration. Through initiatives such as the Chicano Link Mentorship Program, access to Immigrant Legal Services Center and support for first-generation and mixed-status students, CSP offers resources that address both academic and personal needs. 
“There’s fear sometimes, especially with what’s going on politically and with immigration,” Lopez mentioned. “But there’s comfort in knowing that we have each other and that we belong here.”
That message of belonging extends beyond the Latino community. CSP welcomes students of all backgrounds to join events, study in the space or simply stop by.
“Don’t be afraid to walk in,” Versage shares. “Everyone starts off quiet. It’s a canon event, but once you fall in, it’s hard to leave.”
Working alongside other organizations at UCR, CSP builds bridges that connect identity, activism and education. It stands as a reminder that culture and community are not separate from learning – they’re what makes it meaningful.
Inside the cozy walls of CSP, the spirit of that truth fills every corner. Posters celebrate Chicano art and activism. Students share snacks, trade stories and unwind between classes. It’s a space that embodies warmth, resilience and belonging.
As Versage beautifully said, “Our existence is resistance. We’re not just surviving here – we’re thriving.”
In a world where identity can feel politicized, the Chicano Student Programs at UCR remind students of something simple but profound: they belong.
