The first official Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at the University of Maryland, College Park, took place in 1995 after several Latino based student organizations, as well as a Hispanic Faculty/Staff/Graduate Student Association came together to coordinate events that took place during National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15). These organizations, while programming events for the month in previous years, created the Hispanic Heritage Coalition (HHC) to ensure consistency, quality, and unity throughout the community.

National Hispanic Heritage Month [HHM] begins September 15 and runs through October 15. HHM is unique as it begins on the National day of Liberation of many Latin American countries. For the last eleven years, the Hispanic Heritage Coalition [HHC] sought to coordinate efforts amongst departments, faculty, staff, and student organizations that produced events for HHM. Early HHC comprised of several professional, social, and greek undergraduate student organizations, as well as a graduate/faculty/staff association, that worked together to coordinate programs to avoid schedule conflicts and to ensure a sense of unity across member organizations.

As each year progressed, Hispanic Heritage Month at the University of Maryland has had many featured highlights. The opening festival (which first was a showcase of student organizations) has hosted live radio broadcasts, moved to several locations across campus, featured live performances, grassroots organizations, and even celebrities. An end of month Awards Banquet was established to commemorate the efforts of all those who helped make the month possible. Commemorative T-Shirts and calendars have been made to symbolize the unity and theme of each year. Programs for the month have covered a vast array of topics that capture the spirit of the community and showcase the range of interests.

No matter what form each year takes on, Hispanic Heritage Month proves to be a beacon where all members of a community come together to show love and pride for the community and the contributions made in culture, advocacy, and academic excellence. Each year has a unique stamp that fulfills an overall theme of unity and love for each other. For 2007, we follow this tradition through the establishment of a committee to work alongside the Hispanic Heritage Coalition, its respective member organizations, as well as offices and departments, to be a more inclusive and communal space to celebrate our Latinidad.