Education and celebration culminate at Estrella Mountain with a range of month long activities in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 through October 15.
Kick Off Day - Monday, September 15
Beginning at 11:00 a.m., Kick Off Day will feature a flag processional, presentation on the history of Hispanic Heritage Month by an EMCC student, lecture by ASU History Professor, Dr. Arturo Rosales, and entertainment by Mariachi "Azteca de Oro". Activities will held in the outdoor ceremonial plaza.
Dr. Rosales's talk will focus on the history of Mexican Independence Day. The ASU professor researches and teaches Latin American history, Mexican American history, immigration history, and crime and justice. He has written extensively about the Hispanic culture, including his book "Chicano!: A History of the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement".
Political Involvement Forum - Thursday, October 9
Participants can join in a discussion with local Hispanic leaders on current issues. The forum will be held from 6 - 7 p.m. in the Center for Teaching and Learning, located in the Montezuma Hall building.
Family Day - Saturday, October 11
Family Day, from 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., offers parents and children the opportunity to learn together. Children in grades 7 and up will participate in break-out sessions with topics ranging from Getting Ready for College to Exploring Math and Science. Activities for children grades K - 6 will consist of science and math hands-on activities, dance lessons, piñata making, cooking lessons and more. Activities, excluding break-out sessions, will be held in the outdoor Ceremonial Plaza.
For more information about Hispanic Heritage Month activities at Estrella Mountain, contact Natalie Rivera at 623.935.8467.
Estrella Mountain Community College is designated a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) by the Department of Education and works to develop Hispanic students and increase retention rates through academic and transitional programs, mentoring and a wealth of support services. The college has received numerous grants, including from the National Science Foundation and NASA, to pursue this endeavor.