UIW Continues Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrations

The UIW community continues to host and engage in a variety of festive events in observance of Hispanic Heritage Month, demonstrating how Hispanic cultures impact the University.

On Saturday, Sept. 21, UIW took on Northern Arizona University at the Hispanic Heritage Month home football game. In addition to traditional festivities such as the RedZone tailgate and performances from the UIW band, dance and cheer teams, special touches were added to embrace and celebrate the richness of UIW’s Hispanic community.

UIW’s student mariachi group, Mariachi Cardenal, serenaded the crowd throughout the game with songs that paid homage to traditional Mexican folk music. Performing artist and UIW alumna, Patsy Torres, contributed extra musical vibrancy by singing Tejana songs by a variety of well-known singers such as Selena Quintanilla. Attendees were also welcomed to indulge in delicious street tacos from local eatery Tacos Al Carbón Cabrón.

UIW Hispanic faculty members were honored for their valuable contributions in the classroom, to the institution and to the Mission during a special two-minute timeout on the football field. Recognized faculty members included Dr. Jose Moreno, professor and department chair of Finance, Dr. Veronica Martinez-Acosta, professor of Biology, and Dr. Alfredo Ortiz Aragón, associate professor in the Dreeben School of Education and 2023-2024 Moody Professor.

"I am grateful for the invitation to the Hispanic Heritage Month football game,” expressed Moreno. “This event plays a vital role in celebrating and recognizing the rich cultural values and significant contributions of the Hispanic community to our society."

“As chair of both the Hispanic Heritage Month Planning Committee and the HSI Committee, I was thrilled to have the chance to highlight the fantastic UIW events celebrating Hispanic culture during the halftime ESPN+ interview at the football game,” remarked Victoria Shipley, Academic Affairs director of Operations and Planning. “By showcasing our heritage and traditions, we’ve taken a significant step towards fostering a more inclusive and understanding campus community.”

The following week, the festivities continued with UIW’s Feik School of Pharmacy (FSOP) hosting its third annual National Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.

FSOP students and faculty gathered together to sell and share delicious traditional foods and treats such as elotes, churros, fresas con crema and tamales. Attendees also enjoyed dance performances by Mi Mexico Ballet Folklorico.

“The purpose of the Feik School of Pharmacy’s Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration is to honor the vibrant cultural contributions of our Hispanic and Latino community,” shared Andrea Gallagher, Feik social committee chair. “With 40 percent of our student body identifying as Hispanic or Latin, this event is not just a celebration but a heartfelt acknowledgment of the rich diversity that shapes our school. This event reflects our passion for diversity and inclusion, ensuring that every student feels respected and supported.”

Gallagher shared that each year this celebration is held, the school strives to deepen its impact and relevance by incorporating more meaningful and educational elements.

This year, she created a graphic that highlights the National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers’ (NCHEPM) theme, “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together,” to resonate with the community and emphasize the importance of Hispanic contributions. The school displayed informational posters on the library windows to provide context and educate students and faculty about the significance of Hispanic Heritage Month. Gallagher also helped to organize a Worry Doll hunt in which students excitedly searched around the school for and learned about the cultural significance of Guatemalan Worry Dolls.

“Acknowledging the diversity of our aspiring pharmacy students encourages future pharmacists to consider the diversity of their patients and communities,” shared Gallagher. “When students see their own backgrounds valued, they learn to appreciate and respect the unique needs of others. Our students are truly amazing, and their cultural competence—understanding sensitivities, dietary restrictions, and language barriers—enables them to provide more personalized and effective care. This builds trust and leads to better health outcomes, ultimately advancing the quality of healthcare for all.”