Mid-September through mid-October is National Hispanic Heritage Month, and today marks the start of Hispanic Serving Institutions Week, too. UC Merced offers free events and programming to observe Hispanic and Latinx heritage and culture while promoting opportunities.
Grab free pizza and learn more about funding opportunities offered through the University of California’s Institute for Mexico and the United States (UC MEXUS) at a workshop sponsored by the Graduate Division. Undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral researchers are eligible for support through UC MEXUS. The program has been around since 1980, and this academic research institute focuses on contributing to improving binational scholarly understanding and providing positive contributions to society in Mexico and the United States.
Workshop participants will learn about research programs available and hear from a panel of UC Merced fellowship recipients. The workshop takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18 in SSB 250.
Students, staff and faculty are welcome to the Campus Advocacy, Resources and Education (CARE) Office’s celebratory events, including free snacks and movies.
- On Sept. 17, it’s “Stand and Deliver” from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. in COB 201.
- On Sept. 14, see “Walkout,” from 5-7 p.m. in COB 274.
- On Sept. 26, enjoy “Real Women Have Curves” from 6-8 p.m. in COB 266.
The office also has scheduled a series of discussions — with free tamales — entitled “Firme Role Models: How Does Your Cultura Influence Your Career?”
UC Merced staff members will present on this question during the following schedule:
- Enrique Guzman: Sept. 25, noon-1 p.m., COB 114
- Yazil Navarro: Oct. 2, noon- 1 p.m., KL 396
- Yolanda Pineda Vargas, Oct. 9, noon-1 p.m., KL 396 (session in Spanish)
The series is designed to elicit confidence, pride and motivation toward students’ post-college careers.
Those who wish to attend are asked to register online; space is limited. For more details, email UCMCARE@ucmerced.edu.
You can learn more about Hispanic Serving Institutions when Professor Gina Garcia, a scholar, author and consultant, delivers a talk as part of the Chancellor’s Dialogue on Diversity and Interdisciplinarity.
Garcia will discuss her latest book, “Becoming Hispanic-serving Institutions: Opportunities for Colleges and Universities,” which asks what it means to serve Latinx students, what special needs the demographic has and what opportunities and challenges develop when a college or university becomes an HSI.
Garcia speaks from noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, in the California Room. For more information or to request reasonable accommodations, email De Acker at dacker@ucmerced.edu or call 209-228-2598.
