Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month
Bienvenidos!
As we approach National Hispanic Heritage Month, we reflect on our past celebrations. In previous years, the kick-off event is typically hosted by University President Carol L. Folt, and includes remarks from faculty, staff and students. Past themes such as “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Community” embodied the sentiments of USC’s dedication to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The theme for 2024 and beyond will carry forward the same sentiment, as the tradition of celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month at USC continues.
The celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month uniquely begins in the middle of the month, on September 15, the date that coincides with the Independence Day anniversaries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico celebrates their Independence Day on September 16th.
To celebrate the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we wanted to highlight some resources and organizations that all students can utilize on campus:
USC Libraries also created a Latinx Heritage Month Reading List. The list includes Latino USA: A Cartoon History by Ilan Stavans, Nation of Women: An Early Feminist Speaks Out by Luisa Capetillo, Piñata Theory by Alan Chazaro, With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo, and many more books written by Latinx authors and scholars. Furthermore, for students interested in pursuing research at USC, the USC Libraries database has a Latin American Studies Research Guide, which is a helpful tool to navigate the abundance of available resources.
USC has numerous resources to support the needs and success of Latinx students. Since its founding in 1972, La CASA empowers students through cultural identity, leadership, and social consciousness development, and establishes community for Latinx/e Trojans and students interested in learning more about the community and culture. La CASA hosts the Power Pan Dulce speaker series where faculty, staff and alumni can connect with others and support students with their professional aspirations over traditional and delicious, sweet bread! La CASA is a space where Latinx/e students can experience cultural community and connectedness; it can be your space to seek help and support, or simply a great place to study.
For over 45 years, Latinx/e students, as well as other interested Trojans, have experienced community by living in the Latinx/e Living Learning Community. The goal of the Latinx Floor is to create a positive and supportive environment that helps Latinx/e students navigate their experience at USC while empowering them to be leaders. “The Floor” has been home to generations of Latinx/e Trojans, a community where students feel a sense of belonging and where friends become family.
We have a dynamic and prideful Latinx/e community who value sharing their culture with others and thrive at USC. The Latine Student Assembly (LSA) is a cultural assembly that fosters pride in Latinx heritage and culture. LSA supports student-run member organizations with the resources to host events that bring together students of Latinx/e heritage, to make a positive impact in the community and to educate the USC student body.
The USC Latino Alumni Association (LAA) is one of the nation’s leading Latinx/e alumni associations that provides scholarship assistance and is the representative voice for all Latinx/e alumni. LAA hosts their annual Scholarship Gala where a Latinx/e student is celebrated as the recipient of the Dr. John R. Hubbard Recognition Award for their academic achievements, leadership and community service.
Amongst the dozens of student organizations on campus that relate to the Latinx/e community, one that promotes a sense of pride and passion for Latinx/e representation in cinema is The Latinx Film & Media Association (LatiFAM). Representation includes the actors onscreen and those who work behind the scenes in productions like the directors and writers. LatiFAM’s goal is to highlight Latinx/e creatives in the entertainment industry. They state their intent on their website as fulfilling a “need for Latinx professionals in the film and media industries.” This organization hosts screenings for both student films and blockbuster movies like In the Heights. LatiFAM has hosted a Carne Asada Welcome for new students with delicious (and free) pupusas, tacos, agua frescas and paletas. Join this club to experience an empowering connection with fellow filmmakers and film enthusiasts. Students can connect with one another to collaborate on film projects, discuss the movies they love, and highlight the importance of Latinx/e stories being told through film. Follow their Instagram to stay in the loop about future events and film screenings: @latifamdeusc
Another organization worth checking out is Amplify Writers’ Collective, a collective for screenwriters of color. Follow them on Instagram: @amplify.sca
Latinx/e Heritage Month is not only for the Latinx/e community. It’s truly a celebration that everyone can participate in! At USC, all students are encouraged to participate in these events to uplift and celebrate the Latinx/e community.
Please join us this year on October 15th from 3:00-5:00PM for “USC Latinx/e Heritage Month - Noche de Cultura” hosted in Founders Park. You can find this event, a Latinx/e Heritage Month Spotify Playlist, and other Latinx/e Heritage Month Events at USC, here.
Written by: Jessie Guisler, Assistant Director - USC Office of Admission
Original by: Lina Goggins-Rendón, Assistant Director - USC Office of Admission