Please check out the calendar of events both listed above and on the calendar page HERE

The theme for Hispanic Heritage Month 2007 is “Unity through Diversity”, which features four themes: Latinidad, Inclusion, the Student Experience, and Tradition. A Hispanic Heritage Month Coordinating Committee, which consisted of undergraduate, graduate, staff, and faculty representatives and allies, came together in an attempt to find a message or idea that encapsulated the unique qualities of the Latino context. Ideas amongst these conversations were how to visually represent a community that ranges in race, ethnicity, language, nationality, and values? What common themes amongst us exist? What characteristics amongst us are not universal, but deserve to be recognized?

Several values and interests emerged that the University of Maryland Latino community embraces.

The Student Experience: The Latino community at UMCP takes strong pride in the grassroots and community-centered developments throughout their history at UMCP. The development of Hispanic Heritage Month, the creation of campus administrative positions, the advancement of community, and inclusion of new and innovative campus initiatives have come about through the strong relationship and coming together of student organizations members, leaders, and allies. Additionally, many of the events of HHM reflect the journeys, interests, identities, and values of the student community.

Latinidad: During the month, we celebrate the cultural, historical, and social diversity that comes from our African, Indigenous, and European heritages. In addition, we present multiple opinions, issues, expressions, and ideas that stem from this unique heterogeneity. The range of student organizations, topics chosen, and programming for the month, represents our special heritage of being in a cultural mosaic, having multiple histories, shared commonalities, as well as, differences amongst our people.

Tradition: Many students at UMCP are the first to attend college, to partake in a U.S. journey, and to engage in being U.S. Latinos. We look to the stories, rituals, symbols, and values of our past to be our guides for today. To celebrate tradition in college is to mark who we are within the landscape of our campus. We take strong pride in not only continuing tradition, but by making new ones at UMCP.