As part of its ongoing commitment to diversity, inclusion and the university’s Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) initiative, EWU is supporting National Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) through various programs.
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 15 – 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.
As it has for the last three years, EWU’s will again work closely with the Spokane Public Library’s HHM programming through a variety of virtual contributions and cultural displays.
The Chicana/o/x Studies Program is teaming with students to highlight their research, passion and contributions to HHM. Presentations include Latinas in Mariachi by Marcela Godina and Agricultural Labor in the Columbian Basin by Alexis-Guizar Diaz and Edwin Aguilar, PhD.
Even faculty and staff are joining the celebration as Vanessa Delgado, director of EWU’s Multicultural Center, and Andres Aragoneses, PhD, of the Physics Department are offering up tasty cooking videos to celebrate the month.
Additionally, EWU’s Office for Diversity and Inclusion will host a Diversity Essentials Workshop honoring Hispanic Heritage Month 12-1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 29. This free virtual workshop, sponsored by PEMCO Insurance, is entitled Hispanic Heritage Month: Creating an Inclusive Organizational Culture. This interactive workshop will highlight cultural awareness and how to shift organizational culture to become more inclusive.
Eastern Washington University is committed to serving the needs of our region, which includes a growing Hispanic population seeking access to higher education. That is why the university is working toward a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) designation—defined by the U.S. Department of Education as having a Hispanic student enrollment of at least 25 percent full-time undergraduates.
Achieving an HSI designation is expected to result in additional funds, such as subsidized grants, becoming available for all areas of the institution so that all students benefit.
