UVU Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
UVU’s diverse student body drives our dedication to academic excellence and inclusion throughout the university. At 11.9% of total student enrollment, Hispanic and Latino students make up the largest ethnic minority group at UVU. Throughout the year, our Hispanic students, faculty, and staff excel in making UVU an equitable and globalized place to learn and work.
Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the culture and achievements of Latino Wolverines. Join us from September 15 to October 15 for our Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations and learn more about the resources and events available to Wolverines year-round.
Learn More About the Latino Initiative
UVU is committed to improving services and informing policy decisions concerning access to higher education for the Latino population.
Since its inception in 2007, the Latino Initiative has increased UVU's Latino student enrollment headcount by 398% and its Latino graduation headcount by 724%. UVU has the largest Latino student enrollment headcount at a 4-year higher education institution in Utah. Most of the students served will be the first in their families to graduate from college.
The Latino Initiative engages students, parents, K-12 educators, and community leaders in dialogues, programs, resources, and services to advance UVU's Latino student population.
Outstanding Hispanic and Latino Wolverines
UVU’s Latino community is always making waves. Meet just a few of the incredible Hispanic Wolverines who stand out at UVU and throughout the community.
UVU Community Events
Whether we’re honoring Hispanic Heritage Month or connecting with the Latino community all year long, find us at one of UVU’s events or celebrations.
Learn More About Hispanic Heritage Month
What’s the difference between the terms Hispanic, Latino, and Latinx? And why does Hispanic Heritage Month start in the middle of September instead of the beginning of the month? Not only are Hispanic students the largest minority group at UVU, but they are also the largest ethnic minority in Utah. Each member of the rich Latino community brings their own culture and experiences to campus. Learning about the history of Hispanic Heritage Month gives us greater understanding of the global, diverse atmosphere at UVU.
Did you know that there are multiple definitions for the terms Hispanic and Latino? Race, ethnicity, and origin are complex topics on their own, and different groups have their own definitions of how they relate to Hispanic and Latino identities.
The term Hispanic is typically used to indicate someone’s ethnicity. “Hispanic” is derived from the Latin word for “Spain,” so it can indicate that someone is of Spanish descent. Latino or Latinx use Latin America as someone’s origin instead, which includes people with Portuguese roots as well. Different groups will use their own definitions for these terms, like the U.S. Census Bureau and the Pew Research Center. However, individual Hispanic and Latino people have their own preferences and understanding of how their culture and identity relates to these categories.
If you’d like to learn more about Latino history, culture, and language, consider pursuing a minor in Latin American Studies!
Hispanic Heritage Month began as a commemorative week, Hispanic Heritage Week. President Lyndon Johnson signed it into law in 1968. Twenty years later, the week-long observance expanded to a full month when it was signed into law in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan.
Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15 to October 15, unlike other heritage months that start at the beginning of a calendar month. This difference is to highlight the various Central and Latin American countries that celebrate independence days in mid-September.
September 16, 1810: The Mexican War of Independence began on September 16, 1810, when Roman Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla gave the call to arms in Dolores, Mexico. The event is known as El Grito de Dolores (the Cry of Dolores) or El Grito de Independencia (the Independence Cry).
September 18, 1810: The First Government Junta of Chile was established following the deposition of King Ferdinand VII of Spain. Fiestas Patrias, or the Homeland Holidays, take place across two days from September 18-19, but unofficial celebrations can last for up to a week.
September 15, 1821: La Acta de Independencia Centroamericana (The Act of Independence of Central America) was signed by several Central American provinces following a growing independence movement in the region. September 15 is the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month and marks the independence of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
September 21, 1981: Belize became independent on September 21, 1981, following over two decades of decolonization efforts and diplomatic relations between Belize, the United Kingdom, and Guatemala.
Resources
Multicultural Student Services
Multicultural Student Services strives to teach and provide intentional programs and services that embrace and validate multicultural education, promote opportunities for intercultural learning, exchange, and appreciation and cultivates an atmosphere of inclusion, diversity, equity, and social change.
We are committed to creating spaces of not only inclusion and diversity, but equity and justice and ensuring that our students, staff, and faculty know that UVU welcomes and incorporates their voices and lived experiences into our campus community.
Undocumented Student Services
Hundreds of Dreamers call UVU their academic home and we are so glad you are here! Whether you are just getting started or you have been here for a while, UVU offers all undocumented students the resources and support you need to succeed.
