Monmouth University officially opened its Latin Heritage Month on Monday, Sept. 15, with its annual kickoff celebration. Transforming Nagy Commons into a space filled with food, music, and community. The two-hour event, which featured foods, performances, calendars, and giveaways, marked the beginning of a month dedicated to honoring Latin American cultures and voices on campus.
Latin Heritage Month is recognized nationally from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. The dates coincide with the independence anniversaries of several Latin American nations, including Cost Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chile. Across the United States, colleges and universities hold lectures, cultural showcases, and community gatherings to highlight the histories and contributions of Latin communities. At Monmouth, the kickoff event has become a signature tradition organized in partnership between the Latin American Student Organization (LASO) and the Intercultural Center.
For students, the kickoff was more than a chance to sample food or stop by a table. It was a moment of visibility and celebration. “It was such a big, diverse group of people all celebrating Latin Heritage Month with good food and great music,” said Matias Sanchez, sophomore business marketing major, who attended the event. “It’s a nice change of pace at Monmouth.”
The celebratory atmosphere also held personal meaning for students who wanted to connect with their own cultures. “[I] attended because I wanted to enjoy some Colombian food and be part of the kickoff because I love Latino culture,” said Krysteen Rodriguez Diaz, senior communications major and former LASO president.
For years, LASO has worked with the Intercultural Center to ensure that Latinx Heritage Month is recognized with both educational and cultural celebrations. For Rodriguez Diaz, the kickoff reflects both tradition and progress. “The kickoff is important because it shows that Latin culture is not only present but growing at Monmouth,” Rodriguez Diaz said. “It brings students together in ways that make everyone feel welcome, whether they identify as Latinx or not.”
Rodriguez Diaz also pointed to the changes she has witnessed during her time at Monmouth. “Over the past few years, I’ve seen Latin culture on campus grow stronger,” she said. “There are more events, more student involvement, and a bigger sense of pride. It feels like we are not only represented but celebrated.”
For students who are not Latin American, the kickoff offered a chance to experience and learn from another culture.
“Events like this give non-Latinx students a chance to step into our world and understand what makes our culture special,” Rodriquez Diaz added. “It’s not just for us, it’s a chance to share traditions and build
community across the whole campus.”
Beyond the kickoff, Latinx Heritage Month at Monmouth features a full calendar of events running through mid October. Celebrations include cultural performances, film screenings, educational discussions, and opportunities for students to engage with issues facing Latin American communities both locally and globally. The Intercultural Center publishes a detailed schedule each year, inviting all students to attend and participate.
Organizers emphasized that these events are not only for Latinx students but for the entire Monmouth community. By making cultural traditions visible and accessible, the month encourages dialogue, builds cross-cultural understanding, and strengthens the sense of inclusion on campus.
For students like Sanchez, that inclusivity was what made the kickoff so meaningful. “I loved how the event seemed to bring everyone to one place. It was such a big, diverse group of people all celebrating Latin Heritage month with good food and great music,” he said.
As Monmouth continues its celebration through October, students and faculty alike hope that the energy from the kickoff sets the tone for the rest of the month. For Rodriguez Diaz, the celebration’s lasting value lies in representation. “When you see your culture reflected on campus, it reminds you that you belong,” she said. “That’s why these events matter.”
The annual kickoff event lasted just two hours, but for Latinx students, it reinforced a sense of pride and identity. For the wider student body, it offered a glimpse into traditions and experiences that might otherwise go unseen.
