Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with COM!

En Español

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month, which is recognized from Sept. 15-Oct. 15 of each year, to celebrate the rich, diverse Hispanic cultural heritage and traditions found throughout our community and worldwide.

Throughout the US, the Hispanic population has grown significantly and now makes up the largest racial or ethnic minority group in the country. According to the US Census, in Galveston County, our Hispanic communities comprise 26.8 percent of the total population. And at COM, about 37 percent of our total student population are Hispanic.

College of the Mainland is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), which is defined as accredited, degree-granting, public or private nonprofit institution of Higher Education with 25 percent or more total Hispanic undergraduate student enrollment. 

The COM Multicultural Committee has planned various events throughout the month for students, employees and community members to enjoy.

Message from Dr. Helen Brewer

Featured Events

Hispanic female dancing

Fiesta Comunidad

Featuring:

Our event will be packed with a fantastic lineup of activities dedicated to honoring and embracing the vibrant cultures, traditions, and contributions of the Hispanic community.

Learn More

HHM Event Schedule

Aug. 25 - Sept. 18, 2025

¿Me Voy o Me Quedo? By Juan de Dios Mora

COM Art Gallery, M-TH, 10:00 am - 4:30 pm

Artist Talk and Closing Reception Thursday, September 18 at 12 p.m. Learn more about the gallery.

Sept. 16, 2025

Cultura. Comunidad. Justicia.

Student Center, 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
The Chicano Squad Documentary and Chat
A screening of The Chicano Squad documentary followed by a discussion on justice and representation. Free food while supplies last.
Sept. 23, 2025

Liftoff with Latino Legends

Conference Center, 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Learn about Latino contributions to space exploration!
NASA Astronaut Joseph Acaba speaks to students about his Puerto Rican background and how resilience played a role in his educational and professional journey.  Free food while supplies last.
Sept. 20, 2025

Fiesta Comunidad

10:00 am - 2:00 pm
FREE community day of fun for the whole family!
Packed with a fantastic lineup of activities dedicated to honoring and embracing the vibrant cultures, traditions, and contributions of the Hispanic community. Learn More
Oct. 2, 2025

¡Viva la Salsa!

Student Center, 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Salsa Showdown & Hispanic Heritage Celebration
A campus favorite returns! Enjoy a salsa tasting competition, live music, and celebration of Hispanic culture. Free food while supplies last.
Oct. 3, 2025

6v6 Soccer

Track, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Must be a currently enrolled credit student to participate. Contact Studentact@com.edu for more information.

Location: Inside the track across Monticello Drive

Oct. 7, 2025

COM Night Out

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Join us for National Niht Out with a Hispanic twist!  Touch a truck and jump on a bounce house, play a round or two of lotería and take home some candy from a trunk or treat hosted by COM departments and local Latino-owned businesses.  Free cultural snacks while supplies last.  
Oct. 14, 2025

Celebrando Our Voices

Student Center, 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Students, staff, and faculty are invited to share poetry, music, and stories celebrating identity and culture. Free cultural snacks and coffee while supplies last.
Oct. 28, 2025

Calacas y Flores

Student Center, 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Remembering Those We Love
Día de los Muertos is a joyful celebration that takes place on November 1st and 2nd.  It honors loved ones who have passed away.  Families create colorful altars, or "ofrendas," decorated with photos of the deceased, marigolds, candles, sugar skulls or "calacas" and the favorite foods of their lost loved ones to welcome back their spirits.  This year, we will have an ofrenda set up for the week.  Students and staff can add pictures of their loved ones.  We will also host a craft activity and provide food to celebrate together as a community.

Past Events

2024 Hispanic Heritage Celebration

Our 2024, Hispanic Heritage Month festivities began with Colombian empanadas, live mariachi music and an inspiring speech by local community leader Fidencio Leija Jr.  Throughout the month, we celebrated culture with events like Café y Conchas con Consejeros, a Belleza Latina workshop creating lip stain with achiote, a salsa (food) competition and a panel featuring local Latino leaders.  

https://commarketing.smugmug.com/Events-/Hispanic-Heritage-Month-/2024

2023 Hispanic Heritage Celebration

Our 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month celebration kicked off with delicious pupusas, welcoming remarks from Spanish Instructor Rafael Naranjo and a special guest from the Mexican Consulate.  Throughout the month, students enjoyed a lotería game, an inspiring talk by motivational speaker Ovi Vasquez, an Afro-Latino hair care event, Latin American beverage tastings and a salsa competition that brought together students, staff and the community.  

https://commarketing.smugmug.com/Events-/Hispanic-Heritage-Month-2023

 

2022 Hispanic Heritage Celebration

In 2022, the Hispanic Heritage Month Committee returned to in-person celebrations with a colorful kickoff event featuring a piñata for students to honor Hispanic culture on campus and in the community.

https://commarketing.smugmug.com/Events-/Hispanic-Heritage-Month-/2022

 

2021 Hispanic Heritage Celebration

Scholarship Contest Essay Winners

Juan Hernandez – 1st Place Winner
Read Juan's essay: Cecilio's Journey

Yhovanka Marquez – 2nd Place Winner
Read Yhovanka's essay A Hispanic Tale From a Couple's Point of View

Carolina Alvarez — 3rd Place Winner
Read Carolina's essay Hardships and Celebrations: How My Parents Gave Me a Chance at the Good Life

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