Oakland University celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month

It is a long-standing tradition at Oakland University to recognize National Hispanic Heritage Month during the month of September with a series of events celebrating the history, politics and culture of Hispanic people, locally and globally. This year's celebration will include:

• Monday, Sept. 15: Opening CeremonyStrength Through Struggle: Latinx Voices Leading in the Face of Opposition
Panel discussion with members from Latinx organizations such as the Michigan Hispanic Collaborative to discuss how they are continuing their organizations' mission in a climate that is actively pushing back against them.
From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Oakland Center Gold Room A.

• Friday, Sept. 19: Festival del Barrio
Led by Latinx student organizations, this event is aimed to educate OU Students about each of the countries celebrated during Hispanic Heritage Month! It is a celebration of the rich culture our Latinx students identify with.
From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Elliott Tower.

• Saturday, Sept. 27: Community Service Project at Hispanic Outreach Center
Work alongside Hispanic Outreach Center students and mentors to prepare their facility and grounds for the fall. Lunch provided to those who sign up here. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meet at the Hispanic Outreach Center at 76 Williams Street in Pontiac, Mich.

• Wednesday, Oct. 1: Loteria Night (Mexican Bingo)
Come and enjoy traditional Mexican pastries and win prizes by playing the traditional Mexican game!
At 7 p.m. in Oak View Hall's Main Lobby.
Sponsored by University Housing, Residence Life Association.

• Friday, Oct. 3 : Sabor y Comunidad: A Hispanic Heritage Month Carne Asada
Join us for Sabor y Comunidad, a festive carne asada cookout celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at Oakland University! Enjoy delicious grilled food, music, games, and great company as we honor Latinx culture and community. Come connect, relax, and celebrate the rich flavors and traditions that bring us together.
From 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Elliott Tower.
Sponsored by HALO, SHPE

• Monday, Oct. 13: Hispanic Heritage Month Book Club
Featured book: "Catalina" by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio
Join us as we celebrate Hispanic and Latinx authors! Though we will be highlighting the featured work of Karla Cornejo Villavicencio, reading the book is not required to attend this event. We will provide an opportunity for folks to share their favorite Hispanic and Latinx authors and/or works.
At 5:30 p.m. in the Oakland Center, Rooms 128-130.
Sponsored by HALO.

• Tuesday, Oct. 14: Screening of the Documentary "Las Sufragistas (2012)"
The Sufragettes (Dir. Anna Cruz) chronicles Eufrosina Cruz Mendoza's struggle to be allowed to vote and to be a candidate for the Head of Municipality of her community in Santa Maria Quiegolani in the State of Oaxaca. Her story is indicative of present day struggles for women throughout Central America to gain and retain the right to vote.
Film screening will be followed by a round table with representatives from Modern Languages, Women and Gender Studies, Film Studies.
At noon in The Habitat at the Oakland Center.
Sponsored by the Department of Modern Languages, Women and Gender Studies, and Film Studies.

• Wednesday, Oct. 15: Closing Ceremony
Join us as we close out Hispanic Heritage Month at Oakland University.
From noon to 1 p.m. in the Oakland Center Gold Rooms B & C.

This year's Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at Oakland University is sponsored by the Center for Multicultural Initiatives, the Office for Student Involvement, the Hispanic American Leadership Organization, the Spanish Club, Sigma Delta Pi, the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, the Oakland University Student Congress, the Latinx Employee Resource Group, and the University Housing, Residence Life Association.

In addition, the university would like to recognize the efforts of the 2025 Hispanic Heritage Month Committee, including: Adolfo Campoy-Cubillo, associate professor, Modern Languages and Literature (Spanish); Jenna DeVoogd of the Hispanic American Leadership Organization (HALO); Nicole Lucio, assistant director of the Center for Multicultural Initiatives and chair of the Hispanic Heritage Month Committee; Pedro Marin, residence director, University Housing; Jean Ann Miller, senior director, Office for Student Involvement; Rebecca Mercado Jones, assistant professor, Department of Communication and Journalism (Communication); Cecilia Saenz-Roby, associate professor, Modern Languages and Literature; Bianca Stepanyan, retention coordinator for the Center for Multicultural Initiatives; and Luis Villa Diaz, assistant professor, Biological Sciences.

For more information, visit the 2025 Hispanic Heritage Month website at www.oakland.edu/cmi/hhm.

About National Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month is a national recognition of the culture, contributions and heritage of Hispanic Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15.

The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively.

The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988.