In recognition of Sacramento State’s inclusiveness and cultural diversity, the College Assistance Migrant Program, Serna Center and Dreamer Resource Center are currently hosting a seven-week celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month throughout campus, which began on Friday, Sept. 9.
According to Norma Mendoza, program coordinator for the Serna and Dreamer Resource centers, Hispanic Heritage Month is a way for Sac State to highlight its Hispanic-Serving Institution designation, while encouraging the inclusion of a diverse student population.
“It’s more than highlighting the diversity,” Mendoza said. “It’s also welcoming students from different cultural backgrounds and providing programmings that speak to them.”
In addition to informing, Mendoza said that Hispanic Heritage Month will give students the opportunity to discuss issues that they find important.
“Beyond the awareness is providing spaces where they can engage with others about topics that matter to them,” Mendoza said.
For the next seven weeks, Hispanic Heritage Month will host a variety of events and workshops, including film screenings, forums, and lectures featuring special guest speakers.
On Friday, Sept. 9, the celebration began with an event titled, “Inspirational Models of Latino Success” at The WELL, which was a panel discussion of Sac State Latino alumni who were invited to share their professional and personal success stories, as well as what their college journeys were like.
“These are panelists that Latino students can relate to,” Mendoza said. “They can see themselves reflected in these stories and understand some of the challenges you face in college coming from a Latino culture.”
According to Mendoza, the event was a success among students, staff and panelists.
“It was really motivational,” said freshman child development major Yuliana Mora. “It got me thinking about where I want to be in life and what it will take to get there.”
Mora also said that the thing she took away from the panel was that “success takes time, and you can’t get it over night.”
“(Since) last year when we first received our Hispanic-Serving Institution designation (from the U.S. Department of Education), we have hosted a summit,” Mendoza said. “We wanted to inform the campus community about the rich (Hispanic culture.)”
Since this year is Sac State’s first celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Mendoza said no further plans have been finalized for future years.
“We don’t have anything for the future in mind yet,” Mendoza said. “But we do know our focus will be to explore the implications of our new HSI designation.”