Carmen Navarette, Interview with Susan Hanf, 1998

A staff member at both Mundelein College and Loyola University Chicago, Carmen Navarette reflects on her life serving Latino students at both. She grew up in Colombia, spending most of her life in the United States. She started in 1985 to lead the Hispanic Women’s Program. Navarette constantly felt supported by all of the BVMs. After Mundelein affiliated with Loyola, she continued to serve as a liaison to Latinos. She works to recruit students to the university. She concludes her oral history reflecting fondly on the BVMs and their willingness to help people.

1998

Carmen Navarrete was born in Cali, Colombia, where she attended grammar and high school. She earned her bachelor’s of arts and master of arts in Intercultural Studies from Governors State University. Navarrete worked as a Bilingual translator at St. John Berchmans School in Chicago from 1983-1984, and as an English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor at the Latino Training Center. At Mundelein, Navarette was the Director of the Hispanic Women's Program and Hispanic Services Office from 1985 until Mundelein's merger with Loyola University Chicago in 1991. She went on to serve as an advisor to Latino students at Loyola.

Carmen Navarette
Interview with Susan Hanf, November 11, 1998
Institute of Pastoral Studies, Loyola University Chicago
Time Log

Side A

0-5 minutes
Born in Cali, Colombia. Came to the United States in 1974. Half of her life in Colombia, half of her life in the U.S. Grammar school and high school in Colombia. Undergraduate and graduate school at Governors State University. Social-political intercultural degree. Parents - Carmen Rosa Lopez and Jesus Vega. Learned English in the U.S. Mostly lived in Chicago. Before Mundelein, worked in a factory and community organizations. VISTA Volunteer - worked in Humboldt Park community, through Citizens Information Service.
5-10 minutes
Worked at Mundelein in January 1985. Working for a major university (Loyola) is a major change and transition. Smaller college, less hoops. Was in charge of Hispanic Women’s Program at Mundelein. Funds from Higher Education Cooperative (HECA) program. Scholarship for Latinas. Worked in advising, recruiting, and administration. Went to the community, recruited through parishes and community organizations. She created the program at Mundelein. All students were from Chicago.
10-15 minutes
Financial part was one of the greatest barriers. Women also had to take care of children in addition to school. Able to support students better because of her own experiences. Majority of students did well academically.
15-20 minutes
The BVMs supported Navarrete. Sister Jeanelle tutored many of the women. Sister Jean supported her. Program designed for Hispanic adult women. Spanish Club with cultural activities. A lot of sharing in Latino culture.
20-25 minutes
Mundelein was known for the quality of its education. She started off as an assistant coordinator and became director of the program. Kate Houghton, coordinator of student services. Linda Kors also supported students. Carolyn Burgholzer was her immediate supervisor. Worked closely with Sister Mary Murphy, Vice President.
25-30 minutes
Dean Judy Farmer. Ford Foundation helped Hispanic Alliance at multiple institutions. Support from the MacArthur Foundation.
30-35 minutes
DePaul would receive funds and it distributed to itself, Loyola, and Mundelein. Advisor for LUCE, Latinas United for College Education.
35-40 minutes
Navarrete has two children, both went to Loyola. Last group of Mundelein College students graduated in 1992. Barbara Watson also part of Mundelein during affiliation. More identity at a smaller college.
40-45 minutes
Mundelein students took classes at Loyola and vice versa. Navarrete’s job ended with the affiliation. Angeles Eames also a coordinator, could not be two. New position created to advise Latino students. Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt became liaison with the Asian community; she worked with all students. Sister Ann Harrington recruited and advised Asian students.
45-50 minutes
Navarrete currently works with the Institute for Pastoral Studies; still works with Latinos. 1991 to 1996, working with new Mundelein College doing academic advising.

Side B

0-5 minutes
Mundelein College of Loyola. Many Latinos do not think of Loyola as the first choice; tied to Latinos attending as well as professors. Represent Loyola at community colleges. Instituto Hispano founded in the 1970s under Mundelein College by Sister Carol Frances Jegen. Father William Spine, coordinator at the Instituto.
5-10 minutes
BVMs have a willingness to help people. Make the most of little. She was the first one to attend college.

Carmen Navarrete 1998 Index

KEY
CN 1998=Carmen Navarette 1998 Interview

INDEX
Asian students, CN 1998 Side A 40-45
Bergen, Jean, CN 1998 Side A 15-20
Burholzer, Carolyn, CN 1998 Side A 20-25
BVMs, CN 1998 Side A 15-20, CN 1998 Side B 5-10
Cali, Colombia, CN 1998 Side A 0-5
Chicago, Illinois, CN 1998 Side A, 0-5
DePaul University, CN 1998 Side A 30-35
Eames, Angeles, CN 1998 Side A 40-45
Farmer, Judy, CN 1998 Side A 25-30
Ford Foundation, CN 1998 Side A 25-30
Governors State University, CN 1998 Side A 0-5
Harrington, Ann, CN 1998 Side A 40-45
Higher Education Cooperative, CN 1998 Side A 5-10
Hispanic Alliance, CN 1998 Side A 25-30
Hispanic Women’s Program, CN 1998 Side A 5-10
Houghton, Kate, CN 1998 Side A 20-25
Humboldt Park, CN 1998 Side A 0-5
Institute for Pastoral Studies, CN 1998 Side A 45-50
Instituto Hispano, CN 1998 Side B 0-5
Jegen, Carol Frances, CN 1998 Side B 0-5
Kors, Linda, CN 1998 Side A 20-25
Latinas United for College Education (LUCE), CN 1998 Side A 30-35
Latino/a students, CN 1998 Side A, CN 1998 Side A 5-10, CN 1998 Side A 15-20, CN 1998 Side A 40-45, CN 1998 Side A 45-50, CN 1998 Side B, 0-5
Lopez, Carmen Rosa, CN 1998 Side A 0-5
Loyola University Chicago, CN 1998 Side A 5-10, CN 1998 Side A 30-35, CN 1998 Side A 35-40, CN 1998 Side A 40-45, CN 1998 Side B 0-5
MacArthur Foundation, CN 1998 Side A 25-30
Mundelein College, CN 1998 Side A 5-10, CN 1998 Side A 20-25, CN 1998 Side A 30-35, CN 1998 Side A 35-40, 40-45
Mundelein College of Loyola University Chicago, CN 1998 Side A 45-50, CN 1998 Side B 0-5
Murphy, Mary, CN 1998 Side A 20-25
Schmidt, Jean Dolores, CN 1998 Side A 15-20, CN 1998 Side A 40-45
Spanish Club, CN 1998 Side A 15-20
Spine, William, CN 1998 Side B 0-5
Vega, Jesus, CN 1998 Side A 0-5
VISTA, CN 1998 Side A 0-5

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