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Hispanic Heritage Month

  1. About
  2. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Commonwealth University
  3. Hispanic Heritage Month

Each year, we observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

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 Sept. 15 and ending on Oct. 15. It was enacted into law on Aug. 17, 1988.

The day of Sept. 15 is significant, because it's 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 Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is Oct. 12, falls within this 30-day period.

Illustration of Mountain
Joan Manuel Ales-Miranda '20 posing, sitting on stairs.

My favorite part about my culture and traditions is how family oriented we are. When I go back home to Cuba, my whole town treats me as though I was their family. It’s an overall different environment to be around and live in.

Joan Manuel Ales-Miranda '20
Business Management and Economics
Caroline Trinidad '22 posing outside, smiling.

My favorite aspect of being Dominican is the cultural diversity of having both African and European influences. I love the ancestry, the language, and the Dominican traditions. In all, I’m very proud of being an Afro-Latina.

Caroline Trinidad '22
Communication Studies
Alexis Pena '21 posing outside

CU-Bloomsburg has exposed me to many different cultural traditions I never knew about. I see myself continuing to celebrate my heritage on campus, because it’s important to show people where I come from and connect with people who have similar traditions.

Alexis Pena '21
Communication Studies
Pedro Frias-Rosario '21 smiling outside, next to tree.

To me it’s about learning history and the culture of our people, and how it influences other things. My favorite thing is experiencing other subcultures. CU-Bloomsburg has enabled me to further my cultural connection by offering opportunities like with the Multicultural Center and having student organizations with diverse groups.

Pedro Frias-Rosario '21
Communication Studies
Serenity Vidot '23 smiling outside under a blooming tree.

I’m hoping to research issues of cultural awareness in my field. I also hope to change the low percentage of minorities in college, more specifically in my future career as a speech therapist. The biggest mark I can make is graduating top of my class while being an Afro-Latina, and I promise that’s what I will do.

Serenity Vidot '23
Speech-Language Pathology
Caroline Trinidad '22 posing outside, smiling.
Alexis Pena '21 posing outside
Pedro Frias-Rosario '21 smiling outside, next to tree.
Serenity Vidot '23 smiling outside under a blooming tree.
Joan Manuel Ales-Miranda '20 posing, sitting on stairs.

News

All News Stories
A girl standing by a tree.

Hispanic Heritage Month: Maeyelyn Acevedo Santiago

University-wide

Maeyelyn Acevedo Santiago is a secondary education major with a specialization in Spanish from Hazleton and of Puerto Rican descent. In addition, she’s an honors student and peer mentor who is active...

A girl standing next to a tree.

Hispanic Heritage Month: Luz Mejia

University-wide

Luz Mejia is a digital forensics and cybersecurity major from Hazelton and of Dominican descent. In addition, she’s an honors student who’s pursuing a minor in criminal justice. Mejia gets involved on...

A person kneeling by a tree.

Hispanic Heritage Month: Donovin Medina

Bloomsburg

Donovin Medina is an exercise science major from Harrisburg and of Puerto Rican descent. In addition, he's the public relations representative of the Student Organization of Latinos, as well as pursuing a minor in health communicatio

A girl sitting by a fountain.

Hispanic Heritage Month: Nagley Anderson

Bloomsburg

Nagely Anderson is a health sciences: pre-physician assistant major from Scranton and of Dominican descent. In addition, she’s the secretary of the Student Organization of Latinos and vice president of the Students Initiative to Ease Struggle.

A girl in front of a fountain.

Hispanic Heritage Month: Jaylene Fermin

Bloomsburg

Jaylene Fermin is a junior audiology and speech-language pathology major from Cheltenham who is of Dominican descent. In addition to serving as vice president of the Student Organization of Latinos, she is the active secretary of Curl Friends and is pursuing a minor in Spanish.