Several UCA organizations will host events through Oct. 15 in honor of Hispanic Heritage month, including Strike a Piñata, a Financial Literacy Workshop and more.
The series of events began with a Las Delicias ice cream food truck Sept. 15. The Tacos El Gordo food truck was on campus Sept. 29.
Events such as the Financial Literacy workshop, sponsored by the office of diversity and community took place.
Maria Negrete Padron is the associate director of the office of diversity and community.
“I believe that hosting events for Hispanic Heritage Month helps our Hispanic/LatinX students feel seen and celebrated,” Padron said. “Celebrating their culture with food and events may help them feel at home.”
Sophomore and secretary of Latino Student Association Stephanie Mezquita said the important thing about events hosted to celebrate Hispanic culture is how they expose students and staff to Latinx cultures.
“We want students and faculty to learn about Hispanic culture, and hosting events during Hispanic Heritage Month really does expose UCA students to the Latinx culture,” Mezquita said.
Padron said, with help from the office of diversity and community, UCA has been increasingly creative in its use of social media to highlight diversity.
Mezquita said UCA does a good job at highlighting events for diversity by posting on its Instagram story and by making posts about Hispanic Heritage Month.
There are a variety of events coming soon to campus, and each one informs and exposes the campus to different aspects of Hispanic culture.
“To the student body in general, I believe [campus events] expose them to the many different Hispanic and Latinx cultures that are represented at UCA,” Padron said. “It’s a fun way to learn about the cultures that they may not have been exposed to in the past.”
Mezquita said students showing up to events is what helps create a more diverse and welcoming environment on campus.
“Everyone is welcome and the more people the better,” Mezquita said. “We want everyone to feel welcome and would love for everyone to come out and support.”
Padron said education about the culture can create a welcoming environment.
“There are many cultures within the Hispanic and Latinx Heritage. Honoring the commonalities and differences within the Latinx fosters a greater sense of belonging,” Padron said.
A complete list of events hosted to celebrate Hispanic culture is available at https://uca.edu/news/. Some remaining events include another visit from the Las Delicias food truck Oct. 11, Strike a Piñata Oct. 13 and the annual AmigoFest Oct. 15.