Hawkins, a Spanish teacher at Dixie for the past two years, heads a recently created Hispanic Students Association to assist the school's Latino population.

"We also want to raise money from the private sector for scholarships and help connect our college to the community," said Hawkins, who taught Spanish at Brigham Young University for 22 years before moving to southern Utah.

The association will be part of the school's Diversity Center, which has a Polynesian association and ones for African-Americans, American Indians, in addition to an association for gay, lesbian and transgender students.

Daneka Souberbielle, who heads the Diversity Center, said the Hispanic Association was needed and she's glad it has been created.

She said it will give Latinos a way to talk to someone without feeling a "river of separation."

She said Latinos are the largest minority group at the college.

"They make up 6 percent of the student body," she said.

Hawkins added Thursday that she hopes to create a counseling program for Latino students in local high schools. It would stress the importance of education to students and educate teachers about Latino culture.

"Even little things [like Spanish punctuation] help teachers understand Latino culture and do better," Hawkins said.

While some discrimination might exist in the community, it is born of ignorance and closed minds, she said.

Frank Lojko, vice president for student services, said as Dixie grows, the student body becomes increasingly diverse, which is why the Diversity Center and other clubs are important.

"We want the enrichment of an academic exposure for all our students," he said.

mhavnes@sltrib.com