LOCATED AT:
UCLA's Student Activities Center
Room 106, the Xinachtli Cubicle
CONTACT:
Phone: 310- 825- 8894
Fax: 310-206-3175
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MEChA de UCLA's Access Project Xinachtli is a student-initiated and student-run program that works with both UC eligible and non-UC eligible educationally underrepresented students since 1998. We have been providing services to Santa Monica High School since 200
0, the Pico Youth and Family Center since 2002, and Civitas SOL since 2008. MEChA de UCLA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicana/o de Aztlan) created Xinachtli as a response to the lack of diversity in higher education, particularly in the University of California system. Xinachtli strives to develop a comprehensive program that encourages students' academic growth and holistic student development. Xinachtli is a Nahuatl term (the language of the Mexica) that means 'seed that germinates'. It is in the precise moment when the seed bursts, it is neither a seed nor a plant, but infinite possibilities. According to the Mexica, this is the time of true learning. In essence, the learning of our gente is Xinachtli, which embodies our vision for education. We follow the Indigenous Education Model, which strives for both holistic and academic development, meaning that not only will they grow academically and 'book-smart'-wise, but also gain an understanding of their own personal development as Chican@s to become self-determining peoples. Xinachtli believes that one of the deterrents for many students of color is that both students and parents lack the necessary information and resources on the college process. Therefore, Xinachtli seeks to inform parents about higher education, particularly centered around financial aid, college application process, university tour field trips and conferences.
