A series of events on campus in the next few weeks related to Latino heritage underscore the College’s initiative to become a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).

“The four upcoming events—and others planned for later in the semester—are intended to invite and involve high school students and other community members with Metro State, and to establish a closer relationship between the College and the Latino community,” said Interim Deputy Provost Luis Torres, who co-chairs the HSI Task Force.

• Journey Through Our Heritage is an academic competition for high school students on curriculum in Chicana/o studies and Indigenous studies. An essay competition was held Feb. 11, and a Jeopardy-style competition will be held Wednesday, March 18, from 5-8 p.m. in St. Cajetan’s. The event is sponsored by the Chicana/o Studies Department.
• The Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales Third Annual Symposium and Tribute is an academic workshop on the writings and teachings of the famed Denver Chicano leader. It will be held on Friday, March 20, from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. in the Tivoli Turnhalle and various additional rooms for workshops. Metro State students, faculty and staff are helping host this symposium, and are inviting community members and local high school students.
• The Cesar Chavez Leadership Celebration, on Tuesday, March 31, from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. in the Tivoli Turnhalle, will include a breakfast celebration, workshops on leadership and a luncheon with cultural entertainment. It is sponsored by Metro State and the tri-institutional Cesar Chavez Committee.
• The Second Annual Lalo Delgado Poetry Festival will commemorate the famed Chicano poet and former affiliate faculty member at Metro State with readings by local poets and additional cultural programming. Sponsored by the Department of Chicana/o Studies, the event will be held on April 7 in St. Cajetan’s from 8:30 a.m-5 p.m.

Torres adds, “These and similar events will assist Metro State in its efforts to become a Hispanic Serving Institution. They are funded in part by the Office of Institutional Diversity and the Diversity Initiatives Fund.”