A Variety of In-person Activities for the Month
ROCKLAND COUNTY, N.Y. (September 13, 2024) – As a Hispanic Serving Institution, Rockland Community College is proud to celebrate the history and culture of the Latinx community from Tuesday, September 17 through October 15. The month-long celebration honors individual traditions while also recognizing what unites us. This year’s theme—Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future—celebrates the achievements, influence, and advancement of the Hispanic community in the United States. It emphasizes the pioneering spirit of Hispanic individuals and communities, highlighting their contributions to prosperity, their growing impact as vital contributors to society, and the progress they continue to make in various fields.
“This year’s Hispanic Heritage Month will highlight the incredible impact Hispanic individuals and communities have made, not just in the past but in the ongoing advancements shaping our society today,” said the Chair of the RCC Hispanic Heritage Month Committee, Susanna Santiago. “We are honored to bring our community together to recognize these accomplishments and inspire future generations to continue pushing boundaries and making meaningful contributions.”
The Hispanic Heritage Month Committee is proud to provide the RCC community with a variety of in-person activities for the month, such as:
Hispanic Heritage Expo: Pioneers of Change
September 17, 12:30 pm
Location: The Quad
Join us for an exciting event that launches Hispanic Heritage Month in style! Hispanic Heritage Expo: Pioneers of Change will be a dynamic celebration that showcases the diverse cultural heritage of the Hispanic community. This event highlights unity and cultural exchange, bringing together people from various Hispanic countries to share their traditions, cuisine, music, and more. See Hispanic Heritage Expo event listing for more information
Latino Voices: Pioneers in Literature
September 24, 12:30 pm
Location: Upper Library, Student Union
Highlighting the unique perspectives of the Hispanic community. As part of this celebration, we will showcase the literary contributions of Hispanic authors by distributing their books. Each book offers a distinct and invaluable viewpoint on the experiences of the Hispanic community, highlighting the impact of Latino literature. This event emphasizes the important role these authors play in sharing their stories and insights, aligning with our theme of celebrating pioneering voices and perspectives. See Latino Voices event listing for more information
Latinx Leads Conference
September 27, 11:00 am
Location: Nelson Mandela Room (Student Union, Room 3214)
This interactive conference will explore the different skills needed for students and leaders to become elements of social change on campus and within the organization. Participants will understand how their interactions and relationships with each other have a large impact on the campus community. The workshops will provide participants with the necessary awareness, content knowledge, and skills to foster student and staff development, and mutual respect when exploring issues of diversity. Participants will engage in activities and discussions that enhance their own understanding of identity and, in turn, help them work more effectively with a diverse population.
These aspects include, but are not limited to:
- Content knowledge regarding issues of discrimination and privilege, as well as the applicable terminology.
- Critical intrapersonal and interpersonal skills (e.g., self-awareness, communication skills, problem-solving skills and empathy) for working effectively with diverse individuals and groups.
See Latinx Leads Conference event listing for more information & to register
Libros con Lattes el Lunes: Exploring the Magic of What the River Know
September 30, 1:00 pm
Location: Academic II, Room 2123 / Microsoft Teams
Hispanic Heritage Month & the Faculty/Staff Book Group present: Elizabeth Troutner’s (Student Involvement) discussion on What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez. The discussion will focus on the novel’s prologue. In this discussion, we’ll delve into the world of Bolivian-Argentinian Inez Olivera and her quest to uncover the truth about her parents’ mysterious disappearance in 19th-century Cairo. This young adult historical fantasy combines ancient magic, adventure, and a quest for truth. Don’t miss this chance to begin a thrilling new read. Coffee will be provided! See Libros con Lattes el Lunes event listing for more information
America’s Pastime is Hispanic Heritage
October 2, 1:00 pm
Location: Academic I, Room 1106
Hispanic heritage has long been a huge part of American culture, and few places illustrate this as poignantly as on the baseball diamond. This program uses sport to explore complex themes including immigration law, demographic transformation, evolving concepts of race, assimilation & belonging, and diversity within the broader Latinx world. See America’s Pastime is Hispanic Heritage event listing for more information
Tarde de Cultura: Hispanic Heritage Month Open Mic
October 8, 12:30 pm
Location: Atrium, Cultural Arts Center (by cafeteria)
Join us for “Tarde de Cultura: Hispanic Heritage Month Open Mic,” a vibrant celebration of culture and creativity that you won’t want to miss! See Tarde de Cultura event listing for more information & to register
Evening Star: Hispanic Heritage Month
October 15, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Bridge between Academic I & Academic II
Join us as we celebrate with a fun and creative activity—making sugar skulls! This event offers college students a chance to engage with a cherished tradition and explore the significance of Día de los Muertos. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to create your own sugar skull and immerse yourself in the artistic side of Hispanic heritage. See Tarde de Cultura event listing for more information
For more information about Hispanic Heritage Month at RCC, please visit https://sunyrockland.edu/media/hispanic-heritage-month/.
About Rockland Community College, State University of New York
Rockland Community College (RCC), located in Suffern New York, provides purpose driven educational opportunities in a supportive, affordable, and accessible environment, empowering individuals to positively transform themselves and their communities. RCC welcomes students from diverse backgrounds who appreciate small class sizes and personal attention from a distinguished, award-winning faculty that includes Fulbright scholars and SUNY Distinguished Professors. Many graduates go on to top universities to further their education on their own or through RCCs institutional collaborations.
RCC is also proud to provide career training and professional development to adult learners looking to change careers or upgrade their skills through a variety of programs and educational opportunities including workforce training, certifications, and microcredentials. Many of the programs are developed with employers in the community in high demand industry areas to enable graduates to move into a new career upon graduation. More information can be found at sunyrockland.edu.
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