North Central celebrates Hispanic and Latino cultural heritage on campus

North Central College’s multicultural life on campus is expanding this fall to incorporate a larger celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Though the College promotes many other Hispanic and Latino involvement opportunities throughout the academic year, Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 is devoted to a campus-wide celebration of various Hispanic cultures.

Beginning on Sept. 26 with keynote speaker Carlos Andrés Gómez, a spoken-word poet who regularly performs during the College’s Martin Luther King Week, North Central’s Office of Multicultural Affairs will host a new, diverse lineup of activities for its second annual celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

In past years, celebrating Hispanic culture at the College has included different unique events. Opportunities like the Latin American Poetry Festival, Latin Music Festival, Latin Film Festival, Flamenco Festival and Día de los Muertos have involved students, faculty and staff on campus.

North Central’s three Hispanic/Latino student groups—Fusión Española, Raza Unida and SACNAS (Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science)—have often hosted these and other activities celebrating Hispanic cultural heritage.
Vanessa Mendoza ’17, president of Raza Unida, explains, “Our goals are to celebrate and create events for Hispanic and Latino students as well as inform and welcome members of any background to participate in a different culture.”

“The Office of Multicultural Affairs is working hand-in-hand with other offices and organizations on campus to make this inclusive celebration a successful one,” says Dorothy Pleas, director of multicultural affairs. “It’s open to all students, faculty and staff members as well as other Naperville community members.”

Marco V. Martinez, assistant professor of mathematics and advisor of Raza Unida and SACNAS, adds: “Hispanic Heritage Month can educate the campus on the multicultural mix of Hispanics.”

The 2015 Hispanic Heritage Month celebration includes:

• Carlos Andrés Gómez Keynote, 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, in the theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall
• “Precious Knowledge” Documentary and Discussion, 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28, in upstairs Harold and Eva White Activities Center
• Flamenco Dance for Beginners, 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, in Heininger Auditorium, Larrance Academic Center
• Public Reading from “Ophelias” by Aida Bahr, 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, in Harold and Eva White Activities Center, Fireside Lounge
• Latin Dance Lessons, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, in upstairs Harold and Eva White Activities Center
• Tour of Latin America, 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, in upstairs Harold and Eva White Activities Center
• Community Service Project at Family Focus Aurora, Saturday, Oct. 3
• Compañia Flamenca José Porcel presents “Flamenco Fire: A Performance of Classic and Traditional Flamenco Dance and Music,” 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, in Pfeiffer Hall. Tickets are required; $5/students, all others call 630-637-SHOW (7469) or visit northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.