Students took to the dance floor Sept. 23 during the annual Latin American Music Festival, hosted by both the Latino Student Association and UCA’s Latina-based sorority, Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc.
Sophomore Jesus Hernandez serves on the executive board for LSA as its secretary. He said events like the Latin American Music Festival are meant to showcase music and Hispanic culture — though students from all backgrounds were welcome to attend.
“This event in particular reflects a big part of our culture,” Hernandez said. “Through music, we have this exposure to Hispanic culture, which is pretty cool.”
This event, along with most events hosted under UCA’s Office of Diversity and Community, focuses on welcoming students regardless of ethnicity in hopes of introducing them to new cultures.
Hernandez said, “I firmly believe that diversity on campus is a big [part] of campus life. Not just Hispanic culture, but all other cultures should have more events.”
Divina Nixon is a junior and the LSA historian. Though she doesn’t know exactly how the music festival came to be, she said it’s a favorite among students.
“I think everybody just wanted a dancing event where we can all just have fun and see friends,” Nixon said. “I’m not really sure when or how it started, but ever since it has, everybody loves to come.”
Nixon supports the idea of more cultural events on campus. “I think that they should spread all types of cultures, maybe do a dance with everything, you know?”
As someone coming from a majority-white town, Nixon said groups like LSA helped her establish better connections with people who shared similar backgrounds. Though she joined LSA during her freshman year, this is the first year she has taken on an executive position.
“It helps a lot of people feel more welcoming. I mean, that’s what happened with me,” Nixon said. “I felt a lot more welcome.”
Hernandez highlighted upcoming events LSA will host in the future. Oct. 5 will be its “Bag it Up” event, followed by a salsa event Oct. 12.
Hernandez said LSA will post further details on CubConnect and Instagram. You can follow the Latino Student Association @lsa_uca and Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. @sia.uca.
For students wanting to get involved in other registered student organizations beyond LSA, the Minority Mentorship Program pairs freshmen with upperclassman peer mentors to aid in the retention and graduation rates of UCA’s minority population.
Students for the Propagation of Black Culture is another RSO open to students that emphasizes unity between the community and Black culture. Other minority organizations include Dancers United, Ebony Models, PRISM and the UCA Gospel Choir.
