Since its creation in 1996, Hispanic Heritage Month has been celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. This month’s celebrations aim to honor the Hispanic community and its culture while educating others about Hispanic customs. 

Iowa State has many resources available to Hispanic students. From student organizations to multicultural departments, there is always a place for Hispanic students on campus to find a community. 

“What this organization brings is a Latinx community to those other Latinos/Latinas on campus,” said Iliana Vanessa Yanes Perez, a senior studying finance and the president of the Latinx Student Initiatives student organization. “It’s hard to find our people and feel comfortable in that transition. A lot of students are used to coming from towns where there is more diversity. That’s what the organization does: develop a community for those students here so they do not feel too out of their comfort zone or too out of place.”

The Latinx Student Initiatives meets weekly from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays in Marston Hall, room 2300. 

Not only does Latinx Student Initiatives provide a diverse community for Hispanic students on campus, but they also offer professional development opportunities, leadership positions, educational resources and networking opportunities to the students in the organization. 

“I was really looking for where my group of people was,” said Yanes Perez. “The Latinx Student Initiatives club really caught my attention… knowing that a lot of people come from different majors and different backgrounds… I was like, ‘This is perfect for me.’”

The student organization plans to hold its annual fall retreat in October. The retreat will take students off campus for a day to provide them with a stress-free environment in which to bond, learn new skills and have fun as a community. 

For more information regarding the annual fall retreat, contact Illiana Vanessa Yanes Perez at [email protected]. 

The Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) office on the second floor of the Memorial Union also offers many opportunities for Hispanic students on campus. 

Jordan Brooks, the assistant dean of students and director of Multicultural Student Affairs, shared what the MSA office has available for Hispanic students through an email statement with the Daily. 

“Multicultural Student Affairs encourages students to utilize our space in the Memorial Union and take advantage of the support and resources available through our center and across campus,” Brooks stated. “MSA often partners with other campus organizations to host events or activities during heritage months, including a walk-in craft this month at The Workspace and a celebration with student organizations in October.”

The MSA office within the Memorial Union has many unique resources for students visiting. The office provides eight study nooks, four equipped with computer and printer access, a lounge area with a flat-screen television, a library, two private reflection rooms and a free business attire pop-up closet. 

To reserve a private reflection room, visit this link. To learn more about the free business attire pop-up closet, email [email protected]. 

The MSA wanted to stress the importance of being involved on campus, not only by visiting the office. 

“There are hundreds of student clubs and organizations that are a great way to build community with students from various cultures and shared interests,” Brooks stated.

Though the MSA is a great place to find resources, study and connect with other students, it does not offer weekly meetings like a student organization would. Weekly meetings can help build community by offering students a support group that consistently meets.  

Other ways to support the Hispanic community during Hispanic Heritage Month include:

• Educate yourself on the importance of the Hispanic community throughout history.
• Support a locally owned Hispanic business. 
• Listen to and learn from your Hispanic friends and the community around you.
• Use your voice to speak out against racism, hate and prejudice.
• Learn a new recipe with Latin roots and expand your flavor pallet.
• Visit The National Museum of the American Latino website.
• Understand where your food and drinks come from. Much of your fresh produce such as fruit, coffee and espresso comes from Latin countries. 
• Enjoy music made by Hispanic musicians such as Gloria Estefan, Bad Bunny, Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, Selena Pérez and many more. 

To learn more about Latinx Student Initiatives, visit their website or follow their Instagram page. 

For more information regarding Multicultural Student Affairs, visit their website or call 515-294-6338.