Sept. 15 marked the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month, aligning with multiple Latin American countries’ independence days. The month celebrates the history, culture and resilience of the Hispanic community.
CSUN hosts events throughout the month highlighting different aspects of Hispanic culture, from loteria to bailes to arts and crafts.
CSUN has been considered a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) since the early 2000s. An HSI refers to “not-for-profit colleges and universities where at least 25% of the full-time equivalent (FTE) undergraduate enrollment is Hispanic,” according to the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. Hispanic students currently make up 56% of CSUN’s student body.
Going to an HSI can significantly impact how Hispanic students experience higher education. Not only are they closer to peers who share similar upbringings, but HSIs often have initiatives aimed at improving Hispanic students’ success.
Maria Gonzalez, a sophomore business major, explained how CSUN’s HSI status has benefited her academic career.
“They do a lot for Hispanic students,” said Gonzalez. “I know they have a lot of events for Hispanic students and it makes me feel appreciated and like I’m not an outsider. I’m not scared to share my experiences in class because I know there’s a lot of people like me.”
Being surrounded by people who share similar experiences can help Hispanic students feel more comfortable in socializing and participating in academic activities.
Jocelyn Lopez, a psychology major, says attending an HSI makes her feel as though she’s not a minority.
“I feel better knowing people aren’t really looking at me differently,” said Lopez. “I like how almost anyone I meet I have a shared culture with and have similarities with.”
CSUN was named a 2021 Equity Champion for Higher Education by the Campaign for College Opportunity. They earned the title from enrolling Latinx Associate Degree for Transfer students on a guaranteed pathway to a bachelor’s degree. They also have the Global HSI Equity Innovation Hub on campus, which is a program that offers pathways to STEAM careers for Latinx students.
Diversity benefits students in interacting with people of different cultures, experiences and perspectives; however, students also need to feel a sense of belonging in academic spaces.
It’s easier to feel like you belong somewhere when you see people that look like you and grew up like you.
It is important to know about cultures outside of your own and being in a diverse environment leads to an open-mindedness that you might not have received elsewhere. However, students of color seem to feel more confident when they’re among their cultural community.
This Hispanic Heritage Month, students and institutions should not only celebrate the culture, but reflect on how proper representation raises success for this community.
