Northeastern Illinois University, the longest-standing four-year public Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) in the Midwest, is excited to celebrate National HSIs Week, Sept. 9-15, 2024. The week also serves as a launching point for Latinx Heritage Month festivities taking place from Sept. 15-Oct. 15.
“The HSI designation reflects NEIU's commitment to providing access to higher education by providing resources and opportunities to support future Latinx leaders' growth and development,” said President Katrina E. Bell-Jordan. “I encourage you to participate in these HSIs Week and Latinx Heritage Month events or explore other opportunities to celebrate and engage with Northeastern's diverse community.”
Per the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) the U.S. Congress began to recognize campuses with “high Hispanic enrollment” as federally designated HSIs in 1992. These schools are defined as having an enrollment of 25% or more of full-time equivalent undergraduate students who identify as Hispanic. A HACU analysis of 2022-23 Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System data revealed there are 600 HSIs in the U.S., spanning 28 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Northeastern is one of 34 HSIs in Illinois.
The Angelina Pedroso Center for Diversity and Intercultural Affairs has coordinated a number of events for the University and general public to celebrate the University’s HSI status and Latinx Heritage Month, which are connected under the national Hispanic Heritage Month theme, “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.”
The U.S. celebrates Latinx Heritage Month (also known as Hispanic Heritage Month) from Sept. 15-Oct. 15 because of the amount of significant anniversaries for many Latin American countries that fall within that time. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua all celebrate their anniversaries of independence on Sept. 15. Mexico celebrates its independence on Sept. 16. Chile’s independence day is Sept. 18. Additionally, Día de la Raza (“Day of the People/Race”) — which honors and commemorates countries and people that were conquered by Spain and other European countries — is celebrated by many Spanish-speaking countries on Oct. 12 as an alternative to Columbus Day.
HSIs Week will be celebrated at Northeastern with a Block Party Celebration at the Pedroso Center from noon-2:00 p.m. on Sept. 12. There will be food, music by DJ Erick "Roho" Garcia, presentations and open discussions.
Highlights of this year’s Latinx Heritage Month at Northeastern include:
- Equity in Focus: Reflecting on the Impact of the Pretrial Fairness Act, 1:15-2:45 p.m., Sept. 18
- Latinx Heritage Kickoff, 10:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Sept. 19
- Racial Equity and Real Estate Conversations: Homeownership in the Latino Community, 9:00 a.m.-noon, Sept. 25
- This event is being held in partnership with the Cook County Assessor's Office
Details about these and other events can be found on the Latinx Heritage Month web page.
Additionally, NEIU Libraries has coordinated a Latinx virtual book display with ebooks, streaming media, and links to Latinx collections.
Top photo: A mariachi band performs on the University Commons during Northeastern's Latinx Heritage Month in 2022.
