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Public Relations and Marketing | Published Sep 08, 2020
Join College of Lake County (CLC) for a virtual celebration of Latinx Heritage Month. Observed Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 in honor of an abundance of Latin American independence days, Latinx Heritage Month is a celebration of history, culture and community.
“Latinx Heritage Month gives a voice to part of our community that doesn’t normally see themselves in higher education,” said Dean of Student Life Gabriel Lara. With a strong background in multicultural and diversity affairs in higher
education, Lara recently joined the college in July. A Latino himself, he’s happy to be working at a college with a wide range of student diversity. “It’s a pleasure working with students who look like the community they represent.”
As a Hispanic Serving Institution, 34.6 percent of the CLC’s student body identifies as Latinx. Beyond support services, Éxito, programs the college provides to ensure student success, this month is a significant way to honor their contributions
to our vibrant community.
Some events include learning how the melding of Afro and Latin cultures creates a different experience, strolling through a virtual tour of the National Museum of Mexican Art and talking about the ways COVID-19 has affected Latinx communities in Lake
County. Don’t miss the collaborative panel between CLC, Harper, Elgin, McHenry and Waubonsee community colleges titled “iYa es el Tiempo! Students Coming Together to Create Change.” Spoken-word artist and activist, Denise Frohman,
will provide an artistic interpretation of activism, and two Elgin Council members, Tish Powell and Baldemar Lopez, will join her in speaking about their journey and role in making a change in the community.
For a complete calendar of events, visit https://www.clcillinois.edu/events/latinx-heritage. These
events are sponsored by Multicultural Student Center, Fearless Dreamers Alliance, Latino Alliance, Diversity Council and Latinx Outreach and Success Committee.
About College of Lake County:
The College of Lake County is a comprehensive community college committed to equitable high-quality education, cultural enrichment and partnerships to advance the diverse communities it serves in northeastern Illinois. Offered at three campuses in Grayslake,
Vernon Hills and Waukegan or online, college classes are affordable and accessible to help each student achieve academic, career and personal goals. More than 70,000 students graduated with degrees and certificates since the college opened in 1969. The
College of Lake County is the only higher-education institution ranked among the top 15 best places to work in Illinois by Forbes and is a national leader in many areas, including sustainability and conservation.