This special issue of the "Journal of Educational Foundations" explores the struggles faced by Latina faculty. These struggles became evident through an examination of Latina faculty members at a specific Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). The essays in this special issue examine the experiences and trajectory of several Latina faculty members during their time in the academy. A great deal of research has been conducted on the need to support Latina/o faculty during the early years of their career (Delgado Bernal & Villalpando, 2002; Gonzales, 2013; Murakami-Ramalho, Nunez, & Cuero, 2010; Nieman, 1999; Turner, Gonzalez, & Wood, 2008; Turner, Gonzalez, & Wong, 2011), but few have looked at programs that have been created to specifically mentor Latina faculty. In the quest to illuminate the types of programs that work to support Latina faculty in academia, this special issue examines the role of an organization called the Research for the Educational Advancement of Latinas (REAL). This university-wide collaborative among junior and senior female professors was established to aid in the development and retention of new tenure-track professors in academia. Additionally, this special issue reflects on the impact that collaborating with REAL had, not only on its members' academic trajectory, but also on their personal lives as well. This issue chronicles the experiences of Latina professors with the hope that other faculty members of color (who might be engaged in similar struggles) may discover that they are not alone and that collectives can be created to provide support systems to help navigate their way in the academy. Furthermore, this special issue explores how creating and working with support groups such as REAL can serve as a platform for building community and avoiding the academic, social, and emotional isolation that is often experienced by Latinas in tenure-track positions. Finally, it explores the importance of the experiences and "consejos" (words of wisdom/advice) of Latina and faculty of color who "have been there, and done that" in the development and retention of new Latina faculty in academia.