Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month

In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15) Montclair State University will celebrate its diverse and dynamic Latinx community with a series of events focusing on both culture and challenges, while commemorating Latinx pride.

This year’s theme for Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month is Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation.

As Associate Provost for Hispanic Initiatives Katia Paz Goldfarb puts it: “This year’s theme, reminds us that en la unión está la fuerza, together we are stronger and the need for inclusivity within and outside our communities. This month gives us an opportunity to share, recognize and celebrate de donde venimos y a dónde vamos [where we come from and where we are going] as an intrinsic part of the society.”

Events are sponsored by various organizations and programs, including the Office for Hispanic Initiatives, the Latin American Student Organization, the Hispanic/Latinx Alumni Network, Latinx Caucus, the Office of Alumni Engagement, and Latinx Greek and student organizations, and include a flag raising, a luncheon, and cultural discussions (both in-person and online).

Check the Office for Hispanic Initiatives website and the University calendar for updates.

Calendar of Events

• Monday, Sept. 19, 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m.

  Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month Procession/Flag Raising Ceremony/Reception
  In-person Event | Multiple Locations (see below)
  Join the Office for Hispanic Initiatives, Latinx Caucus, LASO (Latin American Student Organization) and Latinx Greek and student organizations. Procession departs from Cole Hall at 11:45 am to the flag raising at the flagpoles near the Student Center. Reception afterward at the Rathskeller in the Student Center).
  Sponsored by Latinx Caucus. Co-sponsored by LASO (Latin American Student Organization) and the Office for Hispanic Initiatives.

• Tuesday, Sept. 20, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

  Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month Luncheon
  In-person Event | Student Center Dining Room
  Enjoy a Hispanic/Latinx-themed buffet lunch. All are welcome to attend. The cost is $12.90 per person. All forms of payment accepted including Red Hawk Dollars.
  Sponsored by Latinx Caucus. Co-sponsored by LASO (Latin American Student Organization) and the Office for Hispanic Initiatives.

• Thursday, Sept. 22, 6 – 8 p.m.

  Fireside Chat with Prudential – Being Ambi-Cultural: The New Identity of Hispanics/Latinx
  in the Workplace
  In-person Event | Student Center Ballrooms | Register here
  Join Hispanic/Latinx professionals from Prudential for a panel discussion on “Being Ambi-Cultural in the Workplace.” Prudential recruitment representatives will also be available to answer questions on internship and career opportunities for Hispanic/Latinx students and alumni. Stay for networking and refreshments.
  Co-sponsored by LASO (Latin American Student Organization), The Hispanic/Latinx Alumni Network and The Office of Alumni Engagement.

• Wednesday, Sept. 28

  • 3 – 4 p.m.
    HACU 2022 Internships Information Session
    Virtual Event | Register here
    (Registrants will receive confirmation email with information about joining the meeting. This
    session will be recorded). HACU (Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities) will
    provide information on HACU’s National Internship Program (HNIP) and 2022 paid internship
    opportunities.
    Sponsored by the Office for Hispanic Initiatives.
  • 6 – 8 p.m.
    Careers in Finance: A panel discussion with financial professionals from Citi
    In-person Event | University Hall, Room 1020 | Register here
    Learn more and connect with Hispanic/Latinx finance professionals from Citi.
    Light refreshments will be served.
    Sponsored by the Office for Hispanic Initiatives

• Thursday, Sept. 29, 6 – 7 p.m.

  HISPA Role Model Program: Kick-Off and Recruiting Event
  Hybrid Event | Register at: https://hispakickoff.org/
  Join HISPA (Hispanics Inspiring Students’ Performance and Achievement) at the Kick-Off and
  Recruiting Event themed “UNIDOS: Inspiring Latino Students for a Stronger Nation.” The
  HISPA Role Model Program enables Hispanic professionals to step into classrooms as positive
  examples for youth. Guests may attend in-person at Montclair State University or tune in to
  the virtual livestream.
  Sponsored by the Office for Hispanic Initiatives and HISPA.

• Monday, Oct. 3, Noon – 1:30 p.m.

  Research discussion: The Long-Term Impact of COVID-19 on the Latinx Immigrant Community
  Location TBD/Check with the Office for Hispanic Initiatives for updates
  “The Long-Term Impact of COVID-19 on the Latinx Immigrant Community” presented by
  Public Health Professor Mireya Vila-Compte.

• Wednesday, Oct. 5, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

  Movie Screening and Discussion: Beba
  In-person Event RSVP | University Hall 1060
  Join us for a documentary movie screening and discussion of Beba, described by IMDB as “a
  stunning self-portrait, tough, raw, stubborn, and powerful “Beba” stares down the curses of
  her ancestry, probing the psychic wounds she has inherited, while simultaneously embracing
  the vastness of her multitudes.”
  Sponsored by the Latinx Caucus. Co-sponsored by the Departments of: Psychology, Social Work,
  Spanish/Latin American Studies and Child Advocacy.

• Thursday, Oct. 6, 3 – 4:30 p.m.

  Valeria Aloe: Rising Together: Breaking Through Our Cultural Limiting Mindsets to Succeed
  In-person Event | University Hall 1070 | Register here
  Join us for a dynamic and inspirational conversation packed with transformational personal
  experiences and insightful research with Valeria Aloe, author of the award-winning book
  Uncolonized Latinas,* founder of the Rising Together Movement, and first in her family to
  access college and corporate spaces. We will take a deep dive into the limiting cultural ways
  of thinking and behaviors that hold our community back from achieving its highest potential.
  *Limited books available for sale (cash/venmo/zelle) – Book signing to follow presentation.
  Co-sponsored by the Office for Hispanic Initiatives, LASO (Latin American Student Organization) and the Latinx Caucus.

• Wednesday, Oct. 12

  • 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
    Dr. Jasmin Mena: The Benefits and Perils of Black Racial Identity Development among Black Latinxs
    Virtual Event | Registration TBA
    Professor Mena will discuss the conditions of antiblack racism that necessitate coping resources such as strong and positive ethnic and racial identities. She will present her research on Black racial identity and associated favorable and unfavorable correlates among Black Latinxs and will suggest avenues for future research.
    Sponsored by The Multicultural Psychology Scholars Club.
  • Noon – 3 p.m.
    Hispanic Heritage Month Block Party
    Student Center Quad (Rain Location: STCT Ballrooms) | Register here
    A fun block party to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and Montclair State University’s seventh year as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). All are invited to meet with the various Hispanic/Latinx organizations at Montclair and enjoy Latinx cultures, food and music.

• SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, Oct. 29, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

  Homecoming Alumni BBQ with the Hispanic/Latinx Alumni Network (HLAN)
  Cost: $25.00 per person ($15.00 kids, under 2 free) – Pre-Registration Required.
  Registration includes: 3 food/2 drink tickets, and a $5.00 donation to The Fund for Montclair State. Additional food/drink tickets available for purchase on site. (Must be 21 and must provide a photo ID to purchase alcohol.) Register with the Office of Alumni Engagement.