There are more than 50,000 Hispanic/Latino students across the SUNY system and thousands more faculty and staff. To meet the needs of our Hispanic community, both SUNY System Administration and our schools have many different clubs, organizations, and development programs that represent and support all of our Hispanic students, faculty, and staff.
Across the SUNY system, there are over 100 Hispanic-focused clubs and organizations. These student-run groups host a variety of programming to educate campus students, staff, and faculty on the importance of Hispanic culture. Most importantly, these clubs often serve as a guaranteed form of community for Hispanic students.
During Hispanic Heritage Month, we wanted to take some time to highlight some of the clubs and organizations who support our Hispanic community in a number of ways.
SUNY Hispanic Leadership Institute
As studies show, young people want people they relate to in leadership roles to help them succeed in school. In 2017, SUNY’s Hispanic Leadership Institute (HLI) was launched to serve as a national model for developing and promoting Hispanic executives in higher education, preparing the next generation of Hispanic leaders through fellowships, externships, and conferences.
Since its start, 51 SUNY professionals and faculty have completed the six-month training program, representing 27 SUNY campuses from all sectors and System Administration.
Hispanic/Latino Cultural Center
Old Westbury
Serving New York City and surrounding area on Long Island, the Hispanic Latino Cultural Center of SUNY Old Westbury celebrates the entire Spanish-speaking world including its Hispanic, Amerindian and African heritage. In addition to the campus impact, the center presents cultural events in theater, art, and education that are available to all people to help improve the overall understanding of the contribution to world culture made by the men and women of Hispanic/Latino heritage.
Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA)
Downstate Health Sciences University
The LMSA at SUNY Downstate is a chapter of LMSA-Northeast Regional chapter. This organization, part of a national partnership with other medical service groups, unites and empowers medical students through service, mentorship, and education to advocate and promote for the health of the Hispanic community.
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
University at Buffalo
SHPE at the University at Buffalo inspires and motivates underrepresented students to pursue careers in STEM fields. The organization provides a mentor program for students to introduce them to life outside of college in the STEM fields as preparation for a future in the industry or in graduate school.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
Many of the SUNY campuses celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by hosting special events, highlighting Hispanic stories on social media, and exposing their campus body to cultural experiences from September 15 to October 15.
Hispanic Heritage Month at SUNY Broome
This year’s Hispanic Heritage Month theme is “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation.” Submitted by Ms. Irene Matos Chan, the theme is meant to reinforce the need to ensure diverse voices and perspectives are welcomed and represented in decision-making processes to build stronger communities.
As you do your part to be a part of this month, you can learn more about the history of National Hispanic Heritage Month, from its founding to the types of events and celebrations that take place during the month, at hispanicheritagemonth.gov.
