Diversity and Difference

The Office of Multicultural Affairs Affairs recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month originated in 1968 under the presidency of Lyndon Johnson. From September 15th to October 15th Americans celebrate the memories and contributions of their Spanish, Mexican, Caribbean, Central and South American ancestors.

Hispanic Heritage Month commemorates the anniversaries of independence for Latin American countries (i.e., Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua) on September 15th, the anniversary of independence for Mexico and Chile on September 16th and 18th, and Columbus Day on October 12th.

2012 Latino Olympians

Brenda Villa, Water Polo (2012 Gold Medalist)
Brenda Villa is a gold and silver medalist and four-time Olympic athlete. As the squad captain, she has gained a reputation for being one of the best female water polo players in the world. Villa shares with NBC News how she aspires to be a role model for future athletes after growing up with very few athletes that looked like her.
> Watch Video Interview...

Danell Leyva, Gymnastics (2012 Bronze Medalist)
Olympic gymnast and two time world champion, Danell Leyva shares with NBC news about escaping from Cuba as a young child and what drives him to be the renowned gymnast that is today.
> Watch Video Interview

Historical Latino Olympians

The Latino heritage has been represented for years in the Olympic Games. To read more about these amazing athletes click here.

MSPP En la Comunidad…

Eleonora Bass is a second year Advanced Standing Clinical PsyD student originally from Russia in the Latino Mental Health Program (LMHP). Eleonora just returned from four weeks studying Spanish and volunteering in Costa Rica through the LMHP. The trip was an “enriching experience” that will influence her clinical work not just with Latinos but also other immigrants. Eleonora experienced firsthand the social and psychological complexities of not being able to fluently speak the same language as the majority population. At times she felt linguistically inadequate, affecting her self-esteem and social functioning. These were not unfamiliar feelings for Eleonora who experienced similar struggles when she moved to the U.S. from Russia and knew no English. Eleonora realizes that Latinos in the US “may also be experiencing the same feelings, and these difficulties may need to be addressed in therapy."

Jessica Garcia is a first year Clinical PsyD student of Mexican background also in the LMHP. She says her cultural background is the main reason she is becoming a psychologist “in spite of” her Hispanic background. Although her family and others of Chicano descent told her that mental illness is a “white person’s disease,” Jessica knew that Hispanics need help just as much as anyone else. Growing up Latina in Arizona, Jessica observed the effect of immigrant raids on the community and the devastating impact on families. As a psychologist, she hopes not only to work with Latinos, but also to “lobby for more sound immigration reform solutions.” Jessica further reflects on being a “Latina identified psychologist," stating that “it never hurts to gain that extra bit of knowledge about a client’s culture. People want to be understood and feel significant. Competence as a budding or seasoned psychologist will only further ensure peace of mind for your clients.” Jessica intends to achieve this through her work in the LMHP.

Reflecting on her recent time in Costa Rica, Jessica says that “I was given a gift; an authentic understanding of a culture other than my own.”

MSPP Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

11th Annual 5K Lucero Run/Walk
Sunday, September 23, 2012 at 10:30 am, Rain or Shine!
> Read more...

Excerpts from our Latino Mental Health Blog "MSPP's Rincon Latino"

Contact Information

If you would like to be included in future profiles on this site, please contact Gretchen Nash at gretchen_nash@mspp.edu.

Updated 10/9/12