MSJC Celebrates Latine Heritage Month and National Recognition as a Top Hispanic-Serving Institution
9/15/2025
黑料不打烊 (MSJC) is proud to celebrate Latine Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 with a series of events that honor the cultural contributions, resilience, and achievements of the Latine community. This annual celebration underscores MSJC鈥檚 commitment to serving its diverse student body and advancing equity in higher education.
This year鈥檚 celebration comes with a special distinction: Washington Monthly has recognized MSJC as one of the nation鈥檚 top two-year Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) in its newly released Best Colleges for Hispanic Students rankings. Among only 10 California community colleges to earn this recognition, MSJC stands out as a leader in advancing equity and opportunity for Hispanic students.
More than half of MSJC鈥檚 student population identifies as Hispanic. The college first earned its official HSI designation in 2001 and has since grown into a hub for access, transfer, and career success for students across the Inland Empire.
鈥淟atine Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the rich heritage and powerful contributions of the Latine community,鈥� said Dr. Roger Schultz, MSJC Superintendent/President. 鈥淲e are especially proud that more than half of our students identify as Hispanic, and that our college has been recognized among the best HSIs nationwide. At MSJC, we strive to meet students where they are鈥攕upporting their individual goals while also responding to the collective needs of our communities. In doing so, we not only help Hispanic students succeed鈥攚e elevate the educational experience for all.鈥�
MSJC鈥檚 mission statement reaffirms this commitment: 鈥淎s a Hispanic-Serving Institution, we serve a diverse student population from various identities, cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, life experiences, abilities, and educational needs that represent our community. MSJC is committed to learning and achievement through inclusive and culturally affirming environments that celebrate student voices and create space for self-exploration and growth.鈥� Latine Heritage Month offers a unique opportunity to bring this mission to life.
Throughout the month, MSJC will host engaging events such as Success Starts Aqu铆 (Here), The Geometry of Our Stories: Faculty in Mathematics Panel, Heritage in Every Stitch Embroidery Workshop, Intersectional Dialogues on Culture & Success, and more. These programs are designed to celebrate the cultural heritage, achievements, and academic success of Hispanic students while building stronger connections across the college and the community.
For more information about MSJC鈥檚 Latine Heritage Month events, please visit msjc.edu/hsi/latine-heritage-month.