El APOYO: A Holistic Support Framework to Enhance Student Success at a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Academic Health Center

This chapter describes a comprehensive framework known as APOYO (“support” in English), designed to enhance students’ social, emotional, academic, and career development. The chapter emphasizes evidence-based practices for advancing student success of professional Latine students in a health science environment. The APOYO framework has six domains: faculty-to-student mentorship, peer mentorship, financial literacy, mental health, academic enrichment, and analytics to inform outcomes. By establishing connections across these domains, APOYO aims to enhance Latine student success and inclusivity in higher education. Highlighting undergraduate programs that pave the way for graduate and professional education, especially for Latine and financially under-resourced students within the intersectional identity of an HSI and an AHC, the chapter explores the roles of peer mentors, tutors, clinical immersion, and research experiences, as well as mental, physical, and financial wellness. This chapter presents strategies for implementing the Servingness framework to improve outcomes and support structures for Latine students. The authors emphasize initiatives that support overall student well-being and make equity a top institutional priority. The goal is to contribute to the conversation about effective practices for promoting student success and inclusivity within the dynamic landscape of HSIs and AHCs.