San Diego and Imperial Valley Community Colleges Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

09/14/2022
















Community colleges in San Diego and Imperial counties will be marking Hispanic Heritage Month with a variety of events and activities that celebrate the cultures, contributions, and history of Hispanic Americans.


“SDICCCA community colleges are committed to their mission of equity and inclusion. The Latinx/Chicanx community is the fastest growing in San Diego County and, unfortunately, experiences the lowest rates of higher education attainment. A focus on this population is critical for our colleges to support thriving communities and an inclusive regional workforce,” explains Dr. Sunny Cooke, chair of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Community College Association (SDICCCA) and superintendent/president of MiraCosta College. “We are excited to honor and celebrate our Latinx students and community.”


Hispanic Heritage Month begins September 15 to coincide with the independence dates of five Latin American countries and the independence of Mexico on September 16. Originally a week-long event, it now runs until October 15.


Although the 10 community colleges in the two-county region hold festivities in connection with the month-long celebration, their commitment to supporting Hispanic students is yearlong.


Among the services offered for Hispanic students at the colleges:


  • The PUENTE program provides counseling and mentoring to Hispanic students, with the goal of increasing the number of students to earn a degree or transfer to a four-year university.

  • Hispanic students were well-represented in the distribution of federal pandemic relief funds that the colleges received. The funds were used to assist students with food, technology, gas cards and rental assistance.

  • Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP), provided through a federal grant, allows MiraCosta and Palomar colleges to support families and develop a college-going culture in middle and high schools.

  • SDICCCA colleges offer centers that support undocumented students and their families and promote awareness of the issues facing undocumented students.

  • The San Diego College of Continuing Education opened a new Immigrant-Based Support Program Student Center this fall at the college’s César E. Chávez Campus in Barrio Logan. The support program provides students with college and community resources and peer-to-peer study groups.


Below is a listing by colleges of events occurring in connection with Hispanic Heritage Month.


CUYAMACA COLLEGE


A full listing of all of the college’s programs, including Zoom links, is available at the Culture & Community Circle page.


  • How to Support Cuyamaca Students with Undocumented/DREAMer status. September 8, 10-11 a.m. on Zoom.

  • Community Engagement, Organizing, and Partnership with the Latinx Community, September 14, 10-11 a.m. on Zoom.

  • Open Mic: Participants are encouraged to share their work, thoughts, or interests, September 15, 1-2 p.m. on Zoom.

  • A Study of Racism in our Backyard: The Lemon Grove Case – a viewing of the documentary about the first successful school desegregation case in the United States. September 19, 12-1 p.m. on Zoom.

  • College Hour: Latinx Heritage Month, September 21, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., in front of the B Building (Communication Arts)

  • Getting the Most Out of your Experience at Cuyamaca College, presented by Cuyamaca College alumni. September 21, 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Zoom.

  • Bad Bunny: Redefining Masculinity Through Latinx Media. September 27, 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Zoom.

  • America Discovers Columbus: Inventing Latin America, a presentation on the epistemology of terms and labels used to describe the "New World.” September 28, 1-2 p.m. on Zoom.

  • First-Generation College Student. September 29, 10 a.m.-11 a.m. on Zoom. 

  • Galeria de la Raza, an event showcasing various Latino American artists. September 29, 1-2 p.m. on Zoom.



GROSSMONT COLLEGE


A full listing of events is available at the 2022 Latinx Heritage Month Calendar of Events page.

  • How to become a student leader and advocate. September 15, 2-3 p.m. on the second floor of Building 60-207, and September 16 via Zoom - 2 - 3 p.m.  

  • Fall Reading Series: Banned Books, featuring Lizz Huerta, September 21, 7- 8:15 p.m. at Griffin Gate (Building 60)

  • College Hour: FRIDA Party, September 28, 12-1 p.m., at the Main Quad.

  • Fall Readings Series: Banned Books, featuring Diana Marie Delgado, October 4, 7-8:15 p.m. at  Griffin Gate (Building 60).

  • Afuera del Closet: Celebracion de National Coming Out Day, October 10, 12-1 p.m., at the Associated Students of Grossmont College Board Room, Building 60-200, second floor, or on Zoom.

  • The Grossmont College Library will honor Latinx Heritage Month with a display and exhibit celebrating Latin American culture.



IMPERIAL VALLEY COLLEGE


The Associated Student Government is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by hosting a communitywide diversity, equity and inclusion-driven outreach event that will include local lucha libre, mariachi, and loteria. Sept. 30, 6 p.m., Student Affairs Lawn (Building 100).



MIRACOSTA COLLEGE


  • Dolores Huerta Film Screening and Discussion: September 28, 6-8:30 p.m., Little Theatre (OC3601)

  • Native Gardens, a comedy by Karen Zacarias: General Admission tickets are $16; Seniors/Staff: $13; Students $11; Preview: $11. September 29, 30, October 1, 6, 7 & 8 at 7:30 p.m. Matinees: October 2, 8 & 9 at 2 p.m. Theatre Building (OC2001)

  • Dreaming of You Selena Tribute Concert: September 30, 6 p.m., Concert Hall (OC2400)

  • MiraCosta Alum and award-winning author Erica Alfaro returns to speak about her amazing story of resilience and her journey of becoming an author and speaker. October 6, 2:30-3:30 p.m., Aztlan (OC3400)

  • Real Women have Curves Film Screening: October 14, 7-9 p.m., Theatre (OC2001)

  • Latino Book and Family Festival: October 15, 10 a.m-4 p.m. on the Oceanside Campus.

  • Black and Brown Nerds Expo:November 5, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Oceanside Campus Fountain.

  • Dia De Los Muertos Ofrenda: November 1, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Library and Oceanside Campus.



PALOMAR COLLEGE


Palomar College will be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, through several Latin American food events on the main campus in San Marcos.


  • The Ethnic Studies Department at Palomar College, which is committed to offering and developing diverse and balanced curricula in all of its ethnic studies disciplines, is hosting Robert Vivar, Director of the Unified U.S. Deported Veterans Resource Center, on September 16, at 11 a.m. to discuss the current situation with our deported Veterans. 

  • Workshops on Latinx terminology, and writing, will be held throughout the month

  • The Library Department will premiere a myriad of displays at all Palomar College locations, including the main campus in San Marcos, the education centers in Escondido, Rancho Bernardo, and Fallbrook.



SAN DIEGO CITY COLLEGE 

  • Sin Fronteras: Navigating Higher Education from Undocumented Student to Dean, Thursday, Sept. 22, 2:30-3:30 p.m.,  Dreamer Resource Center, AH-200a

  • Lowriders: Demystifying the Stereotypes, Thursday, Sept. 29, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., MS-140

  • COLEGAS 2022 Webinar Series, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2-4 p.m. (Zoom registration: https://cccconfer.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_a-2pIK4YQp2bLYrkO2vCfQ)

  • Chicano/Latino Men Panel: Apoyo Uno al Otro, Friday, Sept. 30, 1-2 p.m., City Commons, D Building

  • Book Talk with Reyna Grande, The Ballad of Love and Glory: The Forgotten War, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 11:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m., MS-162

  • Live at Lunchtime: Opera of Tijuana, Wednesday, Oct. 5, Noon-1 p.m., Curran Plaza

  • Yo Puedo STEM Latinx/Chicanx Series: Exploring STEM, Thursday, Oct. 6, 1-2 p.m., (Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTngC9trkapjT_nGL8wApX3VnWYRSwsQdIB4juAV-DQt2F9Q/viewform)

  • Feria de Salud y Bienestar (Student Services Fair), Tuesday, Oct. 11, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., A Building Patio

  • Soy Yo: Exploring Intersectionality from the Latinx and Latine experience, Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2-3 p.m., , Pride Hub, L-206

SAN DIEGO MESA COLLEGE


Mesa College will be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by offering a series of events organized by the Latinx Alliance, HSI Initiatives Department, and Student Equity and Success. This year, faculty, classified professionals, administrators, and students are organizing nearly a dozen events to include during our celebration, including meet and greets, career panels, resources events for our Latinx students, and a gallery exhibition. Events will be in both remote and in-person formats, which will include presentations in Spanish.

  • Latinx Bienvenida: September 15, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Room I4-202

  • ¿Qué servicios están disponible en el colegio de San Diego Mesa?: September 19, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Room I4-202, AVANZA Center

  • FREE Immigration Legal Services Information Session: September 21, 10-11 a.m. (ZOOM: https://sdccd-edu.zoom.us/j/82179827661)

  • Mesa College Library Presents Latinx Heritage Month Resource Guide: September 27, 2 p.m., (ZOOM: https://bit.ly/DrEdeama)

  • In Lak’ech: Tu eres mi otro yo: Conversation with artist Maria de Los Angeles: September 29, 10 a.m., Art Gallery, FA-103 

  • In Lak’ech: Tu eres mi otro yo Maria de Los Angeles and Ryan Bonilla Exhibition: September 28, 4 p.m., Art Gallery, FA-103

  • Chismesito Time: Latine Fem in Higher Education: October 4, 1 p.m., Room I4-202, AVANZA Center

  • Queer Astrology Loteria!: October 5, 12:30-1:30 p.m.,  Room I4-202, AVANZA Center

  • Rompiendo Barreras (STEM careers): October 6, 10 a.m., Room G-102

  • How to Start a Small Business: October 6, 3-4 p.m. (Zoom: https://sdccd-edu.zoom.us/j/8967315143)

  • For more information and to see the full schedule of events, please visit the Mesa College Events Calendar.


SAN DIEGO MIRAMAR COLLEGE


Miramar College will be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by offering a series of events as part of the new and improved College Hour series.

The Student Affairs team for Coffee & Crafts will kick off Hispanic Heritage Month with a papel picado arts and crafts workshop in the Jet’s Refuel Center. On alternating Wednesdays, students are invited to grab a cup of coffee or tea, a small snack, as they participate in a guided art or crafting activity with fellow students. The event happens every other Wednesday, starting Sept. 13, and will take place in K1-211.


SAN DIEGO COLLEGE OF CONTINUING EDUCATION


  • SDCCE's Student Affairs will be collaborating with SDCCE's Student Equity Office to provide programming around Hispanic Heritage Month.

  • The Associated Student Body (ASB) at each of SDCCE's seven campuses will be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with different events.

  • ASB leaders at SDCCE's Mid-City Campus and Continuing Education at Mesa College will be hosting cultural displays and will encourage students to dress in traditional cultural attire.

  • Other SDCCE ASB leaders will create displays at their campuses of Hispanic/Latino people that have greatly influenced Hispanic/Latino culture across the world.


SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE


  • Pozole Para Todos: September 15, 11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m., 64-238 North and South

  • Book signing by Maria E. Garcia, author of We Made San Diego: Free book with registration at tinyurl.com/MariaGarcia22. September 20, 3:30-4:30 p.m., 64-238 North and South.

  • Microaggressions and Microinvalidations. September 22, 3:30-4:30 p.m. 61A-104.

  • Presentation by Sergio Gonzales, M.A., M.Ed., and Ph.D. candidate at Claremont Graduate University: Gonzalez’s dissertation seeks to understand how sense of belonging informs the identity development of queer Latinx/a/o graduate students in higher education through a Joteria identity and consciousness framework. September 27, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Zoom meeting ID 952-8255-8005 and October 6, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Zoom meeting ID 930-1781-8007.



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