Penn State Berks celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month with free events

WYOMISSING, Pa. — As part of the college’s ongoing engagement with and support of the local Hispanic and Latino communities, Penn State Berks will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15-Oct. 15, with a variety of vibrant events, educational presentations and cultural showcases. These events include dynamic speakers, Latin cuisine, music, dancing and much more. All events are free and open to the public and most are held at Penn State Berks, except those sponsored by the Berks LaunchBox.

Berks LaunchBox Talk: 'Connect & Inspire' hosted by Frael Reinoso Moreta

Tuesday, Sept. 15, 6-8 p.m., Berks LaunchBox, located within the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, 201 Washington Street, Suite 105, Reading, Pennsylvania

This Spanish-language networking event will focus on building meaningful connections and improving communication. The evening will begin with a short presentation on how to effectively introduce yourself and your business, followed by an interactive networking activity inspired by speed dating. Participants will have the opportunity to practice their elevator pitch, receive feedback from others, and make new connections in a fun and engaging environment. The event is hosted by Frael Reinoso Moreta, owner of Palaeli Studio, host of the popular podcast "El Posca," and coordinator of the Berks LaunchBox Makerspace. Attendees must register in advance for "Connect & Inspire."

Hispanic Heritage Month Kickoff

Wednesday, Sept. 16, 12 noon, Perkins Plaza

The inaugural Hispanic Heritage Month activity coincides with the Mexican Day of Independence. This event features live music from a mariachi band, remarks from a Mexican heritage faculty member, and Mexican food. In the event of rain, this event will take place in the first-floor Multipurpose Room in the Perkins Student Center. For planning purposes, please RSVP to Donna Chambers at DMC6004@psu.edu.

Daniel Cortés presents “What does it mean to identify as LatinX in 2026?”

Wednesday, Sept. 23, 5 p.m., Perkins Multipurpose Room

Daniel Cortés is a Penn State Berks PEPP alumnus turned immigration attorney/professor. He will share his experiences from the classroom to the courtroom in a talk titled “What does it mean to identify as LatinX in 2026, how we got here and what is in our future?” Light refreshments will be served. For planning purposes, please RSVP to Donna Chambers at DMC6004@psu.edu.

Javier Ávila presents “My Name Is Trouble”

Wednesday, Sept. 30, 5 p.m., Perkins Multipurpose Room

Javier Ávila offers a close examination of the American-Latinx experience, taking the audience on a journey as he moves between cultures, navigating a world of misunderstandings and misconceptions. He provides a fascinating perspective on what it means to balance assimilation with cultural preservation. Ávila is a professor of English, poet, novelist and public speaker. His work has earned numerous awards. Latin food tasting will follow the talk. For planning purposes, please RSVP to Donna Chambers at DMC6004@psu.edu.

Penn State Day (Information Session)

Saturday, Oct. 3, 9 a.m.-noon, Franco Building

Prospective students are invited to register for Penn State Day, the college’s largest admissions event of the year, beginning at 9 a.m., starting in the Franco Building. Information will be presented in both English and Spanish. Attendees are invited to stay after the program for the Family and Homecoming Weekend festivities. Advanced registration is required for Penn State Day.

Berks LaunchBox Webinar: Paid Advertising for Beginners: Meta Ads

Tuesday, Oct. 6, 6-7:30 p.m., Berks LaunchBox, located within the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, 201 Washington Street, Suite 105, Reading, Pennsylvania

This Spanish-language webinar will cover the basics of paid advertising without the complexity. It is designed for small businesses that want to understand how Meta Ads work and how to use them more strategically. It will cover when to use Meta Ads, how to define a campaign objective, how to identify your audience, how to set a basic budget, and which mistakes to avoid so you don't waste money. At the end of the webinar, you will receive a simple checklist for planning a basic advertising campaign. The event is hosted by Frael Reinoso Moreta. Attendees must register in advance for the Paid Advertising for Beginners webinar.

Latino Forum: “The Evolution of Nosotros”

Friday, Oct. 16, 9:30-1 p.m.; Keynote at 11 a.m., (High school registration at 9:30 a.m. and high school activities from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.) Perkins Student Center Auditorium

The 14th annual Latino Forum will feature keynote speaker Fran Rodríguez, who will present “The Evolution of Nosotros: An Intergenerational Conversation.” Many important decision-making tables have something in common: the absence of underrepresented voices. Beyond the benefits of DEI, convening generational groups ignites innovation and creative solutions. This session will disrupt the traditional keynote address and instead, welcome a whimsical community conversation of curiosity. This event is for high school students, their teachers, and the community. Pizza will be served for the attendees in the Perkins Multipurpose Room following the presentation. Advanced registration is required for the Latino Forum.

More information

Penn State Berks Hispanic Heritage Month is supported by the Humanities Institute, the Berks Campus Student Fee, the Howard O. and Jean Beaver Endowment for Guest Lecturers at Berks Campus, and the Mrs. Harold McI. Grout and Mrs. C. Glenn Kauffman Endowment for the Arts.



For additional information on any of the events held on campus, contact Donna Chambers, teaching professor of Spanish, at DMC6004@psu.edu or Belén Rodríguez-Mourelo, professor of Spanish and head of the humanities, arts and social sciences division at BRM4@psu.edu.

For more information on the Berks LaunchBox events, contact Erica Kunkel, director of the Berks LaunchBox, at ELS5014@psu.edu.

For a complete list of all Penn State Berks Hispanic Heritage Month events, visit Hispanic Heritage Month.