UNCG warmly celebrates the fourth week of Hispanic Heritage Month in which we embark on a new chapter dedicated to celebrating the cultural wellness and success of the Hispanic community. This week is an opportunity to reflect on the holistic well-being and achievements of Hispanic individuals, while also highlighting the powerful narratives that embody their journeys towards success.
“Learning at UNCG that it’s okay to struggle as long as you show up and keep trying. That’s been a really comforting lesson for me,” says Office of Intercultural Engagement Student Ambassador, Abigal Herrera-Leal. “I give back because I know what it feels like to be lost without mentorship.”
In previous weeks we highlighted stories of Hispanic and Latino staff hosting events around campus, such as the tenth annual celebration of Alianza during their symposium and the fall career fair in which students were encouraged to show others if they were bilingual.
“(Before coming to UNCG) I haven’t had the opportunity to really embrace my identity, my Hispanic and Latina identity,” says OIE student Ambassador, Fatima Galvan-Ruiz. “It took a while to really connect to those roots, and once I did, I felt amazing. So, being able to play a part that for other students, helping them embrace themselves, has been great.”
The events from earlier in the week were centered around making a strong connection within the Hispanic and Latino community. Students had the chance to share aguas fescas, café, and churros with faculty and staff around UNCG. Additionally, emotional well-being was highlighted with the Latinx Connections Support Group in the Gove Center.
“It’s just nice to see how we all bond over the fact that we made it. That we’re in college is something that we take a lot of pride in.” Says Herrera-Leal “I think being intentional about how we can bring the community together is really cool”
Next week wraps up Hispanic Heritage Month, in which we aim to highlight a few of the narratives from students and faculty that were involved in creating the events this year. Join us during this final line up, which emphasizes community support, Zumba, and a special art show at the Weatherspoon Art Museum.
Next weeks events:
Cultural and Emotional Well-being
Latinx Connections Support Group
Wednesday, October 11th, 3:45 – 4:45 p.m., Gove Center
This weekly discussion group is open to all Latin-identified UNCG students, regardless of identities, nationality, or racial/ethnic background. A supportive atmosphere to engage in fun activities, interactions and conversations. A willingness to engage and honor group members’ privacy are the only requirements to attend.
Physical Well-being
Zumba
Wednesday, October 11th, 5:50 & 7:00 p.m.. Kaplan Center (Studio 4)
Zumba is a dance-based fitness class revolving around Latin rhythms (salsa, cumbia, merengue, bachata, and reggaeton) and other international music. It is a mix of low-intensity and high-intensity moves to create a balanced workout. All levels of fitness may attend this class, and no dance background is required.
Connections
Ritmo, Corazon, & Connections
Thursday, October 12th, contact OIE@uncg.edu for more information
Come dance, watch cultural performances and network with student organizations to celebrate the end of Hispanic Heritage Month. In collaboration with the Office of Intercultural Engagement and Intercultural Leadership Council.
Making Room for Conversation: Family
Saturday, October 14th, 2:00 p.m., Weatherspoon Art Museum
Join Assistant Director for Strategic Engagement Mei Mendez and Greensboro-based artist/curator Paula Damasceno in the exhibition Making Room: Familiar Art, New Stories as they explore the artworks in the gallery dedicated to family, share their knowledge, and invite museum visitors to share their own perspectives.
Making Room presents 43 artworks from the Weatherspoon’s collection of more than 6,500 specimens. Each was chosen in response to what more than 4,000 community members told us they care about. The exhibition is organized around the broad theme of caring and being there, using four spaces dedicated to what we heard people care about: Family, Community, Place, and Memory.
Want to get involved?
Story by Dana Broadus, University Communications
Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications
