Recently, students across campus gathered near the Nebraska Union for Fiesta on the Green — an event celebrating Hispanic food, dance, music and more.
The celebration was hosted by the Office of Academic Success and Intercultural Services in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Multiple registered students organizations, including the Mexican American Student Association, attended the event.
Nebraska Today sat down with Miguel Avila Garcia, president of MASA, for a Q&A about Fiesta on the Green and the work his organization is doing on campus.
Why are events like Fiesta on the Green important for the campus community?
Events like Fiesta on the Green are important because they promote cultural awareness and foster inclusion for students who may not always feel represented. I believe it also promotes a sense of belonging and a "home away from home" for our Hispanic community on campus. Cultural events like these demonstrate that there are efforts being made towards our minority students to show them that they are valued on our campus. Furthermore, they are great opportunities for non-Hispanic students to learn about new cultures they may have never been exposed to before.
What does your Hispanic heritage mean to you?
To me, Hispanic heritage means our culture, traditions and values that make us a diverse community. This includes but is not limited to our ability to speak Spanish, a hallmark of the shared history between Hispanic countries, the array of culinary dishes, our diverse range of music, the numerous holidays we celebrate and our close family values. Part of our heritage is fighting for what we believe in and taking great pride in who we are, as was explained this past Monday by renowned civil rights activist Dolores Huerta.
Yesterday, members of MASA got the opportunity to sit in on a Lunch & Learn with Dolores Huerta. MASA was one of the various organizations on campus that helped fund the well known civil rights activist’s visit to UNL in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/WSxbJUwVdt
— MASA (@unlmasa) September 24, 2019
Why should students get involved with MASA?
If you like to meet new people, serve the community and learn about Hispanic culture, then MASA is the organization for you! MASA provides a home away from home for Hispanic students making the transition to college life. There's also opportunities to gain valuable skills in leadership, communication and teamwork to name a few. We are also just a fun group of students who have created a support system for each other. Additionally, even though we are the Mexican American Student Association, we welcome students of all backgrounds!
What other events will MASA hold this semester?
We will be hosting our annual Día de los Muertos event on Nov. 3 at the Bourbon Theatre. We are also planning Latino Art Now!, an event showcasing the artwork of our Latinx community. You can keep posted on any updates by following our social media on Facebook @unlmasa1970, Twitter @ unlmasa, Instagram @unl_m.a.s.a and Snapchat @unl.masa.
Learn more about programs and events offered by OASIS here.
