Students
Students
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at JWU
Author Miranda Hasani '25 is a Sports, Entertainment, Event - Management major and works as a student assistant at JWU, contributing to JWU News.
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated nationally from September 15 – October 15 and spotlights many Latin countries that recognize their independence days throughout this time frame. This month is for Latin American and Hispanic peoples to celebrate their freedoms and be acknowledged for their resiliency and contributions to the United States. Over the past few weeks, I have learned from some of my fellow Wildcats about the meaning of this month and what to take away from a culture made up of many subcultures with rich histories.
One of the first things I learned is that the words Hispanic and Latin are used interchangeably to highlight shared experiences between Spanish-speaking people in Latin America. Some still prefer to be more specific and highlight their identity by differentiating between being a Hispanic American versus a Latin American as they feel it’s important to their roots. Regardless, National Hispanic Heritage Month serves as an outlet to celebrate all people from Hispanic or Latin descent. Here is what I have learned from my Hispanic and Latin classmates and how JWU helps them celebrate.
1. Food is an essential part of Hispanic culture.
Whether it's food directly from Latin America or made in our own culinary labs, cuisine is representation. “Traditional dishes often carry stories and memories, reflecting the customs and values of my family and community,” shares Maria Martinez ’26, an Applied Food Science major at the Charlotte Campus. “Through food, I’ve learned about the ingredients and techniques that define my culture, and it often sparks conversations about traditions and family history. Celebrations and gatherings revolve around specific dishes, making them a focal point of cultural expression. Ultimately, food is not just sustenance — it’s a way to honor my roots and share them with others, creating a deeper understanding of who I am.”
Maria was recently featured in SouthPark Magazine in an article that highlighted her work as a chef at Lottie’s Cafe and featured one of her recipes.
“Growing up surrounded by traditional recipes and cooking methods has instilled in me a deep appreciation for the flavors and techniques that define my heritage,” Maria says. "Being part of a culture that values food to bring people together has encouraged me to explore my creativity in the kitchen. I’ve had the opportunity to learn from family members, absorbing their knowledge and experimenting with my own interpretations. This blend of tradition and innovation allows me to express myself while honoring my roots.”
The culture of food in the Latin community brings a variety of recipes shaped and passed down through generations of families and friends. Not only do cooks of Latin descent get to enjoy their craft and culinary excellence during Hispanic Heritage Month, but they get to give others a taste as they embrace their roots.
Denise Meyer ’26, a student in the Psychology program at the Providence Campus, gives her take on how food has been an important part of recognizing her culture. “It’s really year-round. If you go to any Latin household during the holidays, there’s food everywhere, and you’ll see every type of food. Even with family dinners, you’ll see the spread. There’s a little bit of everything. Food is something that is social for Latin Americans.”
Denise also highlighted that the recipes enjoyed today by families and friends have been passed down from ancestors from hundreds of years ago and as time goes on, get modified. “A lot of our food often uses the same ingredients or very traditional ingredients because in Latin America there are limited crops used and as time passes a lot of our crops are going extinct, but we’re finding other modifications.”
Food is a constant example of how the Latin community celebrates their heritage in everyday life.
2. There is plenty of celebration on campus.
This month is a time for celebrating independence through art, music, food and festivities. Rhode Island celebrates each Latin country’s Independence Day within the month through a series of parades where people can come together to eat food, dance, sing and represent their country by wearing flags. These celebrations continue onto our campuses through student clubs and organizations that are representative of this community.
Denise, who is also the president of the JWU Latine Student Alliance (LSA), has served her community at JWU in multiple ways to celebrate this month and represent the Latin population on campus. “I’ve heard from other Latin students who are coming here from California and Texas, where their neighbors look like them and know their culture. They come here not really having that community. So that’s been our focus — uniting students.”
LSA promotes fun activity nights and events to show the historical significance of Hispanic culture during Hispanic Heritage Month and throughout the academic year. Denise is one of the students in this club that is setting the foundation for Hispanic students to embrace their culture through fun and education.
“One event we’ve done was an event where students came and learned about Mola bookmarks, a Peruvian art form,” Denise shared. “They learned about the tradition as well as its significance while also demonstrating their artistic ability.” This is just one of the activities the club has planned this month. In addition to LSA events, Latin students can also connect and network through programming at the Bridge for Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice or in the Latin Community Resource Group.
Another club that we have at the Providence Campus is the Culinaria Latina Club, which is a Latin culinary club that focuses on celebrating their culture while mastering the art of Latin cuisine and working on many events and recipes.
At the Charlotte Campus, there are groups such as the Latinx Student Union (LSU). Alejandra Rosales ’25, a Business Administration student and club president, told me about why she finds her club to be important. “I wanted to share culture, taste and diversity around campus by hosting events and incorporating a lot of food and other non-Latinx students to learn from our roots.”
Charlotte Culinary Nutrition student Arianna Aguilar ’25 was first introduced to LSU during her first year at JWU and continues to take pride in the cultural significance of the club through events as well as the purpose of the club. “Most of our events feature a food item or game that represents Hispanic culture,” Arianna said. “At the event, we'll explain the significance and origin of the items. I think that overall, the goal of LSU is to not only teach others about our different cultures but also to help others stay connected to their backgrounds and appreciate that every day.”
All of these student-run clubs celebrate Hispanic heritage and continue to connect students to their culture.
3. Hispanic Heritage Month helps people connect and embrace their identity.
This month is about embracing your identity, but JWU’s Latin students do this all year long.
“If there's one thing that I've learned through my Mexican heritage, it’s perseverance,” said Jaz Ibarra ’24, a Sports, Entertainment, Event — Management student. Jaz is pursuing a career in music, and they noted that their cultural identity has been a source of motivation as they have access to more options in life.
Biology student Esther Prado-Jaimes ’24 told me about the role heritage and Hispanic Heritage Month plays in her pursuits. “My heritage is deeply connected to my identity and influences everything I pursue,” she said. “I had to develop the skills to search for that same sense of community in a new environment.” She values her community at JWU Providence and wants to help people be able to develop the skills to search for their own wherever they go.
“Before coming to JWU, I didn’t feel the need to celebrate or put much emphasis on Hispanic Heritage Month because my heritage was so naturally embedded in my everyday life,” Esther added. But now that she is away at college, she finds herself taking in the smaller celebrations of Hispanic Heritage Month to reconnect with her family and culture. “It became a time for me to reconnect with my roots in a way that was more intentional.”
Esther is involved with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) as a Leader-In-Residence to further provide resources and opportunities to the Hispanic and Latino community on campus. Only 50 students around the country are chosen for HACU’s eight-month Leader-in-Residence program each year. “As a Leader-In-Residence, I’ve made it my goal to serve as a support system for students who may be navigating college on their own,” she said. She hosts events and programs on campus for students to explore resources, internships, scholarships and the professional development that HACU provides. Through this role, she serves as a resource and support system for Hispanic and Latino students by helping them build connections that extend beyond college.
What I’ve Learned About Hispanic Heritage Month
One of the sentiments that I took away from these conversations is that Hispanic Heritage Month gives people a moment to be present with their loved ones, but also to reflect on where they and their family come from and how that has influenced and propelled them to where they are now. It allows people to appreciate having a community that undergoes the same experiences as they do.
I also learned a new word: sobremesa. It’s a term that describes the conversation that happens at the dinner table after dinner. It encapsulates how sharing food in this culture also means socializing.
With food, celebration and embracing identity, the Latin community shines bright at Johnson & Wales through students who show pride in their heritage.
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month to all who celebrated!
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