National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, and the University of Nevada, Reno is providing ample opportunities to celebrate and honor Hispanic/Latinx culture and community.
This year, the Office of Hispanic/Latinx Community Relations (also known as ¡Vamos Pack!) and the Multicultural Center’s Latinx Student Services collaborated with campus departments to create the event programming, honoring the Latinx community on campus. Osvaldo Jimenez-Estupinan, the director Latinx/Hispanic Community Relations, details some of the events happening.
“When I was an undergrad, sometimes I would feel a sense of isolation as the only Latino student in the class. It means a lot to me now to help organize these types of events to help our students in the Latinx community feel more comfortable and build more cultural representation on campus,” Jimenez-Estupinan said.
The events held throughout the month are detailed below. More details are available on the PackLife student calendar and the University Events calendar. Follow ¡Vamos Pack! on social media for all the latest updates from Latinx Student Services.
Tu Bienvenida
Monday, Sept. 16, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., at the JCSU
The first event, titled Tu Bienvenida welcomed students, faculty, staff and the community back to campus and was a celebration of the start of the national Hispanic Heritage Month. Located in front of the Joe Crowley Student Union, it featured folkloric dance performances, Latin music, various cultural food from latino America, aguas frescas, and networking opportunities for those who wanted to connect with Latinx/Hispanic faculty, staff, students and Latinx based clubs.
La Raza Inspirada Series
Sept. 19, Sept. 26, Oct. 3, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., in the Wells Fargo Auditorium in the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center
A new offering in 2024, this series of events will involve cultural theatre readings and give participants a deeper understanding of Latinx literature. The play to be read is “Yanga,” written by Jaime Chabaub, which involves the intersectionality between Latinx and Nigerian culture. Local artists will also be collaborating with the events. The series is open to all students, staff and faculty at the University.
“La Raza Inspirada involves conversations and engagement with the arts surrounding intersectionality – important themes for all the events we are organizing this year,” Jimenez-Estupinan said.
¡Vamos Pack! Cultura y Comunidad
Saturday, Sept. 21, from 9 to 11 a.m. in the Multicultural Center
Cultura Y Comunidad will take place before the ¡Vamos Pack! Nevada Football Game. It will be held in the Multicultural Center in collaboration with the Latinx Community Relations office. Brunch, face painting, family-friendly activities and resources for Latinx students will be available for those who wish to participate.
¡Vamos Pack! Nevada Football Game
Saturday, Sept. 21, at noon, at Mackay Stadium
The Nevada Football game against Eastern Washington University will follow the Cultura Y Comunidad event on Sept. 21, 2024, starting at noon. Tickets can be purchased via the Nevada Wolf Pack Athletics website or fans who purchase a ticket through FEVO, will receive a ¡Vamos Pack! scarf.
Many special activities will also be taking place including pregame performances from the Mariachi band and from Folklorico at the We are Nevada Fan Zone; community recognitions during the game including a donation presentation from Corwin Buick GMC to Tu Casa Latina and the University’s Latino Research Center; and special beverages offered during the game including Wolf Pack micheladas and margaritas.
Journalism, mental wellness and avoiding burnout: a panel discussion at the Reynolds School of Journalism
Thursday, Sept. 26, at 1 p.m., in the Reynolds School of Journalism Linn Reading Room
“Journalism, Mental Wellness and How to Avoid Burnout” offers a panel conversation with speakers who will give tips to students on how to prepare for and manage the overwhelming feelings and emotional toll professional journalists may experience while they are in the field. The event is free and open to all students who wish to attend.
About the speakers:
Jesús Ayala is one of the most distinguished and decorated broadcast journalism professors in the country and brings over 20 years of professional journalism experience into the classroom. As a veteran award-winning news producer, Ayala has won four national Emmys and seven Edward R. Murrow Awards, and has trained and mentored ten Emmy winners and nine Murrow Award winners. Prof. Ayala is a leading expert on mental health, burnout, and trauma exposure in the journalism industry. As a journalist who was diagnosed with PTSD after reporting from many hostile environments, he is passionate about sharing his knowledge of what he calls “trauma-informed newsgathering.” He is a graduate of UC Berkeley and USC’s Annenberg School of Journalism.
Christina Cendejas (she/her) is a licensed psychologist at the University’s Counseling Services. She enjoys working with anxiety, family trauma, identity development, relationship issues, and multicultural concerns. Christina is passionate about working with Latino communities and believes that therapy can help people to better understand themselves and improve their connections with others. She has a relational style, takes a strengths-based approach, and utilizes third-wave Cognitive Behavioral Therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy.
Café Con Pan: Latinx Support Group
Oct. 7, Nov. 4, Dec 2, from 4:30 to 6 p.m., in the Multicultural Center
Café con Pan is a support group that strives to create a sense of community among Latinx students at the University of Nevada, Reno. The support group will cover mental health, self-compassion, imposter syndrome and more for the Latinx community. The support group meets throughout the year.
¡Vamos Pack! Soccer Game
Sunday, Oct. 6, at 1 p.m. at Mackay Stadium
Another addition to the event schedule in 2024 is the ¡Vamos Pack! soccer game against Colorado College. Tickets are $7 per person and can be purchased via the Nevada Wolf Pack Athletics website. The first 250 fans in attendance will receive ¡Vamos Pack! scarves to wear.
Latino Research Center Financial Wellness Forum
Thursday, Oct. 17, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., in the JCSU Ballroom 419A
This event will feature a panel of speakers including State Treasurer Zach Conine and resources for Latinx students who want to save money and manage their finances. The event is open to the community and anyone who wants to learn about financial wellness and is sponsored by Greater Nevada Credit Union.
Día de Los Muertos
Sunday, Nov. 3, from 2 to 5 p.m., in the JCSU Gateway Plaza
A signature event for Hispanic Heritage Month, the Día de Los Muertos (The Day of the Dead,) event allows those who have lost loved ones to honor them and their culture through art, dance, foods, family-friendly activities and traditions. The event is free and open to the public.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to celebrate national Hispanic Heritage Month on campus, and follow ¡Vamos Pack! on social media for any additional events or changes.
You can read more stories about the Hispanic/Latinx community and heritage on campus on Nevada Today.