From Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, Elon University will have many events and activities to celebrate the histories of the Latinx/Hispanic communities.
The Hispanic Heritage Month kickoff was the first of many celebratory events that Elon will host during the next few weeks, with plenty of opportunities for the Elon community to have fun, learn about different cultures and celebrate the Latinx/Hispanic community. At the beginning of the kickoff, Sylvia Munoz, assistant dean of students and director of the Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education (CREDE), shared that she hoped people would take advantage of the opportunity to meet someone new.
“I really hope that everyone learns something new,” said Assistant Director of CREDE MJ Larrazabal. “I think these events are really cool because even if you are not Latinx or Hispanic, you get to come enjoy some food and enjoy some music.”
The kickoff event on Sept. 15 was attended by students, faculty and staff of different cultural backgrounds.
“You can learn something that’s different than your own,” Larrazabal said.
Katherine Sibrian Delgado ‘25 shared the significance of Hispanic Heritage Month her as a student at an institution where Hispanic students are in the minority.
“It means a lot seeing a lot of other people here celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with me, Delgado said. “I feel like we can all come together as a community.”
Along with food and music, various organizations and programs connected with attendees by offering more information about their initiatives. Anahy Felipe ’26 is the president of the Latinx/Hispanic Union and her table offered attendees the opportunity to learn about the student organization.
“We throw events mainly for the Latino community, but everyone’s welcome,” Felipe said. “It’s more of just having a community within our organization to kind of uplift and learn more about Latin culture and Latin customs,” said Felipe.
The Latinx/Hispanic Union promotes belonging and diversity at Elon and advocates on a variety of issues. Everyone was encouraged to participate, make new connections and be open to learning something new.
“All of the students and the student coordinators show support. It felt good to show that same support back,” said Kyla Maxwell ‘25.
Maxwell attended the event through her involvement with CREDE, which provides welcoming spaces across campus. The CREDE shows support for ALANAM communities: African-American/Black, Latinx/Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, Native American, Alaskan Native and multiracial.
Part of the CREDE is El Centro, which provides a space for education and promotes a better understanding of Latinx/Hispanic identities and cultures. The group also strives for cultural awareness and community service with the Latinx/Hispanic community. The CREDE and El Centro are groups that strive to promote conversation among students, faculty and staff.
“The event relates to identity and fulfillment for me because it lets minority students know that they have a safe space on campus or a place that they belong,” Maxwell said.