UNC Greensboro has welcomed the second week of Hispanic Heritage Month with the goal of coming together to celebrate and honor the rich cultural heritage of the Hispanic community.
Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to reflect on the contributions and achievements of Hispanic individuals and to foster a sense of unity and belonging.
“We know that the Latin community at UNCG is growing,” notes Office of Intercultural Engagement Student Ambassador Gabriela Suarez-Arellano. “Most of the freshmen are very excited to be engaged with this University. We’ve had people contact us about volunteering and helping, and it shows how much our life and community can come together just for a night or just in general for all these different opportunities.”
Last week, UNCG hosted two kickoff events for Hispanic Heritage month: Noche de Independencia and the Celebrating Diversity Concert. They were filled with vibrant performances, music, and opportunities to connect with one another. The energy and enthusiasm displayed by all who attended truly showcased the spirit of Hispanic heritage.
“The kickoff for Hispanic Heritage Month showed all of our hard work coming to life,” says OIE Student Ambassador Juan Valle. “To see all the students engaging with our tables and going around to the music and seeing everybody being able to embrace their culture without feeling trapped is an overwhelming feeling.
Early this week, we continued the festivities with ways to cultivate Hispanic Heritage with Café y Conversation, physical well-being zumba, mentoring opportunities at a local elementary school, and our Latinx Connections Support Group. These events were all centered around health in the Hispanic Community in relation to the diverse Hispanic traditions, history, and experiences that make up the Hispanic culture.
“We want to keep celebrating, to keep empowering, to keep recognizing the accomplishments that all the Hispanic and Latino students here at UNCG have made in general,” says OIE Student Ambassador Fatima Galvan-Ruiz. “We hope this celebration continues beyond Hispanic Heritage month.”
The celebration doesn’t end there. UNCG and OIE still have exciting events lined up for the rest of this week. Don’t miss out on the Alianza Symposium, were we will hear the history and stories of Hispanic/Latino/es, Alianza, and Chance at UNCG. There will also be opportunities to network and attend a student panel, lunch, special guests, performances, and giveaways!
Together, let’s embrace diversity, promote inclusivity, and celebrate the vibrant tapestry of Hispanic heritage.
Please join us at these upcoming events and let’s continue to cultivate a strong and united community.
Next Week’s events: Careers, Talent, and Passions
Inclusion and Connections
Café y Conversacion
September 25, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Taylor Garden
Come enjoy coffee varieties sustainably sourced from Latin American countries, great conversations around careers, talents, and passions for the upcoming career fair and talent show!
Tengo Talent – Talent show
September 28, 6:00 p.m., EUC Auditorium
Join us as we celebrate and share student poetry, music, singing, and other ways to showcase talentos! We will also feature poetry from the Heritage Language Learners program from Languages, Literatures and Cultures. Before and after the show, enjoy art gallery and buy from small Latin-owned, student-owned businesses. There will be prizes for the winners!
Physical Well-Being
Zumba
September 25, 5:30 p.m., Studio 4 Kaplan Center
Zumba is a dance-based fitness class revolving around Latin rhythms (salsa, cumbia, merengue, bachata, and reggaeton) and other international music. It is a mix of low intensity and high intensity moves to create a balanced workout. All levels of fitness may attend this class, and no dance background is required.
Latin Rhythms
September 26, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., Studio 4 (Kaplan)
Latin Rhythm is a dance-based fitness class revolving around Latin-based music and dance moves. These include salsa, cumbia, merengue, bachata, reggaeton and other Latin-based music.
FALL Career Fair & ALPFA Hablo Español Buttons!
September 27, 1:00-4:00 p.m., Kaplan Center
This signature all-majors recruiting event is designed to connect UNCG students and alumni with world class employers offering full-time, internship and graduate opportunities. This event is an opportunity to explore career options with a diverse set of employers and network with companies at which you are interested in interning or working for full-time. In addition, a number of graduate schools will be in attendance to talk to students about their programs. No matter your reason for attending, professional attire is encouraged. Please come prepared with multiple copies of your resume to provide to employers. First impressions are important, and you never know what connections you will make! Stop by and visit the ALPFA (Association of Latino Professionals) for your “Hablo Español” buttons to wear at the Career Fair and also learn about the student organization!
Community Engagement & Inclusion
Local elementary school ESL Mentoring Program
We are searching for young adults who speak Spanish as their first language and who enjoy mentoring young children. This group is in 2nd and 3rd grade.
RSVP: Bertha Figueroa
27th Well-being (cultural & emotional)
Latinx Connections Support Group
September 27, 3:45 – 4:45 p.m., Gove Center
This weekly discussion group is open to all Latin-identified UNCG students, regardless of identities, nationality, or racial/ethnic background. A supportive atmosphere to engage in fun activities, interactions and conversations. A willingness to engage and honor group members’ privacy are the only requirements to attend.
Story by Dana Broadus, University Communications
Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications
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