Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at Montclair State University

With Hispanic Heritage Month just around the corner, the University prepares to honor our Hispanic community with a variety of events and activities presented both on campus and virtually. Celebrated nationwide since 1988, Hispanic Heritage Month runs September 15 to October 15 to coincide with independence days of many Latin American countries. Last year, 45 percent of Montclair’s incoming class identified as Hispanic, and this number continues to grow, giving the University a lot to celebrate!

Designated a Hispanic-Serving Institution in 2016, the University has expanded support for Hispanic students, faculty, staff and community in recent years through the Office of Hispanic Initiatives (OHI). Founded in 2018, the Office oversees targeted programming for students, including career panels with Hispanic professionals from various fields, internships and scholarship opportunities. One of its signature programs is the annual Hispanic Student College Institute (HSCI), a multi-day conference launched in 2017 for Hispanic high school students, which seeks to break down barriers to achievement in higher education.

Further fostering community for our Hispanic students, the University is home to various related student organizations including: Latin American Student Organization (LASO), Mexican American Student Organization (MASA) and Dominican Student Organization (DSO).

For alumni, the Hispanic/Latinx/a/o Alumni Network (HLAN) provides a way for them to expand their network and celebrate their heritage while giving back through mentoring and other service opportunities. Past events have included networking socials, salsa dancing, volunteer activities for MLK Day, attending cultural events on campus including a performance by the legendary Cuban-American trumpet player Arturo Sandoval, and more.

With a number of events and activities lined up, this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month promises to be an exciting celebration. We hope you will join us!

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 – Xfinity Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Unity Tour, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Student Center Quad/Ballrooms. Comcast’s national tour to celebrate and uplift Black and Hispanic students across dozens of HSIs and HBCUs nationwide.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 – Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month Flag Raising and Reception, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Student Center flagpole with reception to follow at the Student Center, Rooms 411-416. The Montclair State University community is invited to a procession beginning at Cole Hall and ending with a flag raising ceremony at the Student Center flagpoles. Procession departs Cole Hall at 11:30 a.m.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 – Artist Reception: Na’Ye Perez: Teaching to Transgress, 5 – 7 p.m., Alexander Kasser Theater lobby. Meet the artist at the opening reception of Na’Ye Perez: Teaching to Transgress. Remarks by the artist Na’Ye Perez and University Galleries Director Megan C. Austin at 6 p.m. Admission is free, open to the public.

Na’Ye Perez (b. 1992) is a Haitian-Cuban artist who lives and works in Brooklyn, New York. Teaching to Transgress, featuring her artwork, explores themes of community, presence, shared experiences, identity and accessibility. Perez’s antidisciplinary practice spans painting, drawing, printmaking, performance and socially engaged art, transcending traditional academic boundaries to present innovative frameworks and methods.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2024 – Homecoming: Hispanic/Latinx/a/o Alumni Network (HLAN) Gathering at the Alumni BBQ, 1 – 4 p.m., Historic Quad. Come back to campus for a day filled with fun, food and football. Network with fellow alumni and learn more about HLAN. Visit this website for information on Homecoming and Alumni BBQ tickets.

OCTOBER 2, 2024 – Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Paid Internships Info Session (for students only), 2 – 4 p.m., Location TBD. The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) is pleased to be the administrator of internship opportunities provided by our partners in the corporate and federal sectors. This session will feature a speaker from HACU, and a Montclair State University student will share her HACU internship experience.

OCTOBER 12, 2024 – Disney Encanto Sing Along Film/Concert Under the Stars – 7:30 p.m., Montclair campus Amphitheater. Disney’s beloved animated feature Encanto comes to life in an interactive performance and screening — perfect for the whole family. Encanto lovers of all ages can sing along with their favorite Grammy® Award–winning songs. The film features on-screen lyrics as you watch your favorite musical numbers performed by a live band while watching the full film under the stars at Montclair State University’s Amphitheater. $20 each | Save $20, purchase a four-pack for $60 (includes $5 per ticket handling fee), Student tickets are free. Click here for Encanto on the Peak Performances website.

OCTOBER 16, 2024 – Hispanic Heritage Month – 4th Annual Block Party, 1 – 3 p.m., Student Center Quad (Rain location: Student Center Ballrooms). The Montclair State University community is invited to a block party to close out Hispanic Heritage Month with music, food and tabling for various organizations/departments.

OCTOBER 17, 2024 – “Power of Latinas: Strengthening our Legacy” – LUPE Fund, Inc. Conference, 3 – 8 p.m., University Hall Conference Center. Note: student tickets are sold out. LUPE Fund, Inc., New Jersey’s oldest Latina-run organization, proudly presents this highly anticipated conference. Click here to purchase tickets for the Power of Latinas conference.

Visit this page in the future for updates on these events and others.

Alumni and friends, use the links provided above to purchase tickets. Please also click the link below to let the Alumni Office know what events you will be attending.

To learn more about Hispanic/Latinx/a/o Alumni Network (HLAN), click here or contact Briana Curtis, curtisbr@montclair.edu or 973-655-7478.

To learn more about the University’s Office of Hispanic Initiatives, click here.

To make a donation in support of the Office of Hispanic Initiatives, click here.

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What it Means to be a Hispanic-Serving Institution