Penn State campus events celebrate, honor 2025 National Hispanic Heritage Month

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — From mid-September through the end of October, Penn State units at campuses across the commonwealth will be holding events in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated annually from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 as a time to honor and celebrate the historic background, culture, heritage and many influences of the Hispanic and Latino communities throughout the years.

The unifying theme for this year’s observances is “History, Heritage, Hope," according to the University Park Hispanic Heritage Month organizing committee.

In September 1968, the U.S. Congress authorized then President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week, observed during the week that included Sept. 15 and 16. The observance was expanded in 1989 by Congress to a month-long celebration, when the U.S. celebrates the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

Sept. 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and 18, respectively.

More information about events organized by the Hispanic Heritage Committee, and a list of Latino student organizations at University Park, is available on the Hispanic Heritage Month at Penn State website. These events, and additional ones taking place at the University’s campuses across the state, are listed below. Events are scheduled as early as Sept. 14 and run throughout October. This list will be updated throughout the month as new events are added.

Penn State University Park

Happy Valley Latin Festival community event — Saturday, Sept.  20, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza, Fraser Street, State College. The fifth annual Happy Valley Latin Festival is a free one-day music and arts festival highlighting the vibrance and diversity of the Latinx/Hispanic culture in Central Pennsylvania. Celebrate culture, music, food and community bringing together families, friends and neighbors with live performances, local vendors and activities for all ages. La Fiesta Band will perform. Be sure to visit the PRCC and Hispanic Heritage Month Planning Committee table for swag and information, and connect with the programs and resources the PRCC offers. For full details, visit happyvalleylatinfestival.org.

"The Immigration Act of 1965: 60 Years Later" — Wednesday, Sept. 17, 6 p.m., Foster Auditorium, Penn State University Libraries. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation on one of the most important immigration laws in U.S. history. Sixty years after its passage, the Immigration Act of 1965 continues to shape the nation’s demographics, politics, and culture. Panelists will include Tobias Brinkmann, Department of History; A.K. Sandoval-Strausz, Latina/o Studies Program; Jennifer Van Hook, Department of Sociology and Demography; Donald M. Hahn, Community Member and former Mayor of State College; and Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia, Penn State Dickinson Law. A catered reception will follow in 123 Chambers Building. 

Community Ofrenda at the Paul Robeson Cultural Center — Friday, Sept. 19, noon-3 p.m., Paul Robeson Cultural Center, HUB–Robeson Center. As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, the PRCC invites the community to take part in a Community Ofrenda. As we reflect on "History, Heritage and Hope," the ofrenda invites us to honor our past while creating space for gratitude and community today. An "ofrenda" is a ceremonial altar where people come together to honor, remember and feel the presence of loved ones who have passed on. The ofrenda is more than an altar; it is a way to honor our ancestors, keep memory alive, and remind us that community is built on both remembrance and gratitude. All are welcome to stop by to see the ofrenda, leave a note of gratitude, and enjoy free food from local vendors. The ofrenda will remain on display through Oct. 10.

Hispanic Heritage Month Movie Night hosted by the College of Health and Human Development — Friday, Sept. 19, 6-8:30 p.m., 20 Henderson Building. The College of Health and Human Development Office for Diversity and Inclusion have an exciting night planned in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Join us in watching West Side Story (2021), part one of our Hispanic Heritage Month series theme "Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future." Snacks will be provided. Everyone is welcome. For more information, contact Isabella Bello at ibb5128@psu.edu.

Children’s Day at Schlow Library — Sunday, Sept. 21, 2-4 p.m., Schlow Library Community Room, S. Allen Street, Downtown State College. Bring the family for an afternoon of fun with Penn State student organizations bringing the energy: face painting, crafts, and games for kids of all ages. Children can enjoy traditional snacks and learn fun facts about Hispanic/Latino culture. No prior knowledge of Spanish needed. Through play, art, and food, children engage with Hispanic/Latinx heritage through creativity and diversión. Recommended for ages 3 and up, and open to all who want to celebrate and learn. 

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Hispanic Heritage Month festival — Oct. 1, 5:30-8:30 p.m., 2nd Floor ECoRE student lounge, 2nd floor. Hosted by the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, and sponsored by the College of Engineering.

NAMLA x NOMAS Celebrates Hispanic Roots and Culture — Oct. 2, 6–9 p.m., Stuckeman Water Tower. Join NAMLA (National Association of Minority Landscape Architects) and NOMAS (National Organization of Minority Architects) as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with an evening of culture, creativity and community! Stop by the Stuckeman Water Tower to take part in hands-on workshops like tile and pottery painting, as well as papel picado crafting. Enjoy the sounds of cultural music and savor hot food inspired by Hispanic traditions. This event is a wonderful opportunity to honor Hispanic heritage, express creativity and connect with friends. All are welcome! For more information, contact Hunter Reed at hor5086@psu.edu or Mathew Yen at jpy5411@psu.edu 

Fun Friday at the Paul Robeson Cultural Center — Friday, Oct. 3, noon-3 p.m., Paul Robeson Cultural Center, HUB–Robeson Center. Take a break from the grind and drop by the PRCC for Fun Friday. We’ll have free food, papel picado (colorful paper-cutting), art, games and space to hang out. Fun Friday is a long-standing PRCC tradition of community care, creating space to connect, recharge and celebrate culture together. Expect a welcoming atmosphere, activities like Connect Four and chess, and plenty of ways to meet new friends. Curious or need more details? Email A.B. Bejar. No RSVP required, no stress. Just show up, eat, make something and relax. All are invited.

2025 Hispanic Heritage Month Cultural Night — Friday, Oct. 3, 6-9 p.m. (doors open 5:45 p.m.), Heritage Hall, HUB–Robeson Center. Step into a night of "History, Heritage, Hope" as we celebrate the richness of Hispanic/Latinx culture at our annual Cultural Night! This is an evening to celebrate heritage, uplift our orgullo (pride), and look ahead with hope. Expect the rhythms of música (music) and baile (dance), the sabor (taste) of authentic comida (food), and the joy of gathering in comunidad (community). We are honored to welcome Abraham Amorós, Penn State alum, former trustee, and community leader, as this year’s keynote speaker.

• Important: No tickets required this year for cultural night! Seating is limited to 250 guests and available first-come, first-served. To ensure an uninterrupted program, no entry will be permitted once the keynote address has begun. Open to all students, faculty, staff and community members.

Cross-College Hispanic Trailblazer Gallery — Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, 3–5 p.m., Life Sciences Bridge. Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at this interdisciplinary gallery showcase featuring posters of faculty and alumni from the colleges of Health and Human Development, IST and Earth and Mineral Sciences. The gallery will spotlight the impactful scholarship and achievements of Hispanic trailblazers across our colleges, honoring their contributions while fostering cross-college collaboration. Light refreshments will be served, and all are welcome. For more information, contact Nicole Webster, HHD associate dean for faculty affairs and DEI, at nsw10@psu.edu.

Hispanic Heritage Cultural Showcase — Thursday, Oct. 9, 6-8 p.m., 110 Henderson Building. Hosted by the College of Health and Human Development Office for Diversity and Inclusion and part two of our "Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future" theme. Experience the richness and diversity of the Hispanic culture as we showcase a variety of Hispanic traditions, food and music that highlight the unique contributions of the Latino community. For more information, contact Isabella Bello at ibb5128@psu.edu.

The Penn State Dolores Huerta Day of Service: “¡Sí, se puede!” (“Yes, we can!”)

Part 1: Honor Dolores Huerta – Harvest at the Student Farm — Sunday, Oct. 5, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Student Farm. In the spirit of 'History, Heritage, Hope," we honor Dolores Huerta’s legacy of service by giving back locally. Student volunteers will harvest produce and flowers for St. Andrew’s Community Café. This first part honors Dolores Huerta, labor leader, civil rights activist and co-founder of the United Farm Workers, who organizing work uplifted farmworkers and communities nationwide. Her famous call, “¡Sí, se puede!” (“Yes, we can!”) reminds us that change begins with everyday acts of service and solidarity.

Part 2: Serve the Community – St. Andrew’s Café — Thursday, Oct. 9, 5-7 p.m., St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Downtown State College. Volunteers will help serve dinner to community members at St. Andrew’s Community Café, which has provided free weekly meals since 2009 to anyone in need, no questions asked. What began as soup and bread has grown into full meals (with vegan options and desserts!) and a welcoming space of dignity, care and community.

Together, these two parts reflect Dolores Huerta’s vision of building community through justice and hope. By harvesting and serving, Penn State students connect Huerta’s lifelong fight for dignity and justice with today’s work of feeding and caring for our community. Be part of this legacy of service. To volunteer or learn more, email vjp111@psu.edu. All are welcome.

Penn State Berks

All events are free and open to the public. Read more about events at Penn State Berks here.

Hispanic Heritage Month Kickoff — Monday, Sept. 15, 12:15–1:30 p.m., 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 Mexican heritage faculty members, and Mexican food. In the event of rain, this event will take place in the first-floor Multipurpose Room in the Perkins Student Center.

Berks LaunchBox Talk: "Connect & Inspire," hosted by Rosa Julia Parra and Frael Reinoso Moreta — Tuesday, Sept. 16, 6–8 p.m., Centro Hispano, 25 North 2nd Street, Reading, Pennsylvania. This Spanish-language event will offer an opportunity for entrepreneurs to make new connections and gain new ideas and inspiration to take their business forward. The event will begin with networking at 6 p.m. Then at 7 p.m., 10 selected participants will give three-four minute talks about their business, product or service. In addition, Andrés Gómez, a veteran TV presenter and international speaker known for his ability to connect with audiences, will share communication tips. The event is co-hosted by Rosa Julia Parra, founder of Palo Magazine, and 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.

Javier Ávila presents "Embracing the Past and Present" — Wednesday, Sept. 24, 5 p.m., Luerssen 222. Javier Ávila is a professor of English, poet, novelist, and public speaker. His work has earned numerous awards, including his most recent honor as the recipient of the Cultural Arts Award from the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education. Light refreshments will be served.

"Fiesta Latina" — Wednesday, Oct. 1, 5 p.m., in the Perkins Student Center Multipurpose Room. An annual event celebrating Latin heritage, Fiesta Latina is free and open to students, faculty, staff and the public. With the theme of “one language; many cultures,” the event will include live entertainment, followed by a taste of Latin cuisine.

Latino Forum: "Your Identity Is Your Superpower" — Friday, Oct. 10, 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 13th annual Latino Forum welcomes regional high school students and the Berks County community for an event that celebrates Latino heritage throughout the region. Keynote speaker Damary M. Bonilla-Rodriguez, a nationally recognized leadership strategist, speaker and author, will present “Your Identity Is Your Superpower.” Bonilla-Rodriguez ignites cultures of belonging across nonprofit, private and government sectors. With more than two decades of experience, she transforms how organizations lead and serve — helping them create spaces where every voice is valued and leadership reflects the cultural richness of the communities they represent. Pizza will be served following the talk in the Perkins Student Center Multipurpose Room. Attendees must register in advance.

Penn State Brandywine

Hispanic crafts and games — Wednesday, Sept. 24, noon-1 p.m., Student Union Fireside Lounge.

Speaker: Carlos Andrés Gómez — Wednesday, Oct. 1, noon-1 p.m., Tomezsko Lounge. Carlos Gómez is a Colombian American actor, poet and speaker from New York City. He is the author of the poetry collection “Fractures,” selected by former U.S. Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey as the winner of the Felix Pollak Prize in Poetry. Among his credits, he was featured in HBO’s "Def Poetry Jam" and Spike Lee’s movie "Inside Man."

Penn State Harrisburg

"Sanctuario" — Wednesday, Sept. 17, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the Kulkarni Theatre. Featuring powerhouse vocalist Mónica Ortiz Rossi and her nine-piece Afro-Caribbean band, join Afro-Latin music and dance ensemble Sanctuario for a night of music and movement that celebrates the richness of Dominican and Caribbean culture. The theater will be transformed into an interactive space where the audience can enjoy the driving beat of Sanctuario’s music, from the rhythmic merengue to the romantic sway of bachata. There will be a space to dance on stage with the band that will not compromise the view or listening pleasure of others — or attendees can simply sit back in their seats and let the rhythms wash over them. Presented by the Mukund S. Kulkarni Cultural Series at Penn State Harrisburg and in partnership with the campus Latino Club and Caribbean Heritage Association, the performance kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month at Penn State Harrisburg. Read more about Sanctuario's performance here.

Penn State Scranton

Salsa Dancing Class – Tuesday, Sept. 23, Noon to 1 p.m. Stop by the View Café for a fun and festive salsa dancing class offered in partnership with the We Dance Studio, as well as authentic Hispanic food offerings from a local Hispanic restaurant.

Play Bingo – Wednesday, Sept. 24 at noon. Play Bingo in the View Café, where prizes will be gift cards to local Hispanic-owned businesses.