Hispanic Heritage Month 2026

37th Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Opening Celebration & Street Fair
You are warmly invited to join us for Stony Brook University’s 37th Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Opening Celebration & Street Fair:
Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Location: Student Activities Center Plaza

The celebration begins with the Latin American Flags Procession, led by Wolfie and the Spirit of Stony Brook Marching Band, followed by the university's official Proclamation for Hispanic Heritage Month. This year's theme, Unidos Somos Más: Together We Are More, kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month at Stony Brook with cultural performances, activity stations hosted by Latino student clubs and organizations, live music, food, and giveaways.
All Stony Brook faculty, staff, students, and university partners are welcome to attend.

Co-sponsored by the Hispanic Heritage Month Committee, Diversity, Intercultural and Community Engagement (DICE), and Diversity, Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives (DI3).

The Hispanic Heritage Month Planning Committee welcomes the involvement of volunteers to staff events. Please sign up to be part of our collective work. Thank you in advance for your help in making this year's Hispanic Heritage Month a great success!

Events where volunteering staff support is welcomed include the 37th Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony, with more to come as we get closer to the month!

The Hispanic Heritage Month Planning Committee is a network of faculty, staff, and students. The HHM Planning Committee welcomes members of the Seawolves community to participate or collaborate all year long. For interest in joining the HHM Planning Committee, for volunteering opportunities, to make donations, or for general questions, contact hhmplanning@stonybrook.edu.

Inspiring the Future: Latinos in Health Care
Faculty Panel and Meet & Greet
Wednesday, October 1st, 2025 | 6:00 PM –8:00 PM | UNITI Cultural Center - SB Union 113

Join us for a dynamic Health Professions Panel where SBU’s own Latino faculty from Stony Brook Medicine and the Health Sciences will share their journeys and offer expert advice on achieving your dreams.

Panelists:
Carley Gomes, MD – Neonatology
Gloria Viboud, PhD, SM (ASCP) – Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Giselle Gerardi, PhD, RN, RNC-OB, C-EFM – School of Nursing
Maria E. Torres, PhD, MA – Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, School of Social Welfare
Rosalia Casanova, OTD, OTR/L – Occupational Therapy

Moderator: Keren Cruz, SBU Alumna, Psychology BS, MA, '26

This event is an opportunity to hear first-hand from accomplished professionals about the challenges and rewards of working in health fields, the importance of representation, and strategies for success.

This event is free and open to all students. Seating is limited.
Refreshments will be served

Sponsored by Diversity, Intercultural and Community Engagement; Student Life at the Health Sciences Center; and the School of Health Professions.

Join the Japanese Student Organization and the Latin American Student Organization's first ever collaboration: Día de Obon!

Come celebrate the beautiful traditions of Día de los Muertos and Obon, celebrating and honoring the spirits of our ancestors.

There will be crafts and food; come celebrate your own heritage or discover a new tradition!

Si Se Puede Latine Caucus: A Midterm Elections Discussion

Join us for a conversation about the 2026 Midterm Elections and the diverse political values and perspectives represented within Latin American communities in the United States.

Ph.D. graduates from Stony Brook University’s Department of Political Science will help students explore the issues that matter most to Latin American college students and their families, while examining the importance of representation and civic participation in our local communities.

The program will also provide students with information and resources to register to vote, become informed about the issues, and make their voices heard at the ballot box.

Wednesday, October 14, 2026
7:00–9:00 PM | Union Auditorium
Reception to follow at the UNITI Cultural Center

Co-sponsored by the Hispanic Heritage Month Committee, Center for Civic Justice, DICE, DI3, LASO, and the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Center.

Dare to be part of the Yo Soy Un Seawolf legacy. Join us as Stony Brook University proudly celebrates 37 years of Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM)—the first and longest-running heritage month at SBU, which has paved the way for more affinity groups to be part of our rich cultural legacy.


Connect with the Latin American Seawolves community over refreshments and meaningful conversations with alumni, faculty, staff, and students.

Homecoming Registration: https://www.givecampus.com/schools/StonyBrookUniversity/events/2026-homecoming-weekend


Co-Sponsored by: Hispanic Heritage Month Committee, Universitarios Unidos Latinoamericano (Latin American Faculty & Staff Resource Group), Stony Brook Alumni Association, Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives (DI3), and Office of Diversity, Intercultural and Community Engagement (DICE).
We can’t wait to celebrate with you! This event is free and open to all—family and friends, bienvenidos!

The Hispanic Heritage Month Planning Committee welcomes the involvement of volunteers to staff events. Please sign up to be part of our collective work. Thank you in advance for your help in making this year's Hispanic Heritage Month a great success!

Events where volunteering staff support is welcomed include the 37th Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony, with more to come as we get closer to the month!

The Hispanic Heritage Month Planning Committee is a network of faculty, staff, and students. The HHM Planning Committee welcomes members of the Seawolves community to participate or collaborate all year long. For interest in joining the HHM Planning Committee, for volunteering opportunities, to make donations, or for general questions, contact hhmplanning@stonybrook.edu.

Spanish Bilingual Mass
Sunday, October 17th, 2026| 5:00 PM | SB Union Ballroom (2nd level)
Join us for a special Spanish-English Bilingual Mass in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. All members of the Stony Brook University community are welcome to attend.
Stay after the Mass for a Community Social featuring Latin American refreshments—an opportunity to connect, celebrate, and enjoy good company.
Sponsored by: Hispanic Heritage Month Committee and Catholic Campus Ministry

The Hispanic Heritage Month Planning Committee is accepting nominations for our 2026 Awards & Scholarships, celebrating:

• Academic Achievement
• Leadership
• Community Service
• Mentorship
• Campus & Community Impact
• Emerging Leadership
• And more!

🏆 STUDENT AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS
Sanchez Construction Corporation Scholarship
Ana Maria Torres Scholarship
RaFAELA LUNA Memorial Scholarship
HHM Community Service Award
HHM Academic Award
HHM Leadership Award
HHM Emerging Pioneer Award
Mariposa Conference Award
Mariposa Undergraduate Education Award

🏆 FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS
HHM Faculty/Staff Award
Godparent Award
HHM Latine Faculty Recognition Award

📅 NOMINATION DEADLINE
Monday, October 19, 2026
11:59 PM

🎉 AWARDS CEREMONY
Winners will be announced and recognized at the 2026 Hispanic Heritage Month Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.

🔗 NOMINATE NOW
Application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScpxILVuQ9DOzAXQNjlNoTN0cl3Itv7jDMzrSRW4LBwz_8ZPA/viewform?usp=header

You must be logged into your Stony Brook University Gmail account to access the nomination form.

IMPORTANT: Eligibility for all awards and scholarships is regardless of citizenship status.

Questions?
Odalis Hernandez — odalis.hernandez@stonybrook.edu
L'Oreal Ellington Terry — loreal.ellington@stonybrook.edu

Join La Familia on Tuesday, October 20th at 8 PM for Indigenous Cultures of Latin America: Raíces y Juegos! Spend the night with us as we celebrate and learn about the Indigenous roots of Latin America through games, activities, and cultural traditions. Come through, have fun, learn something new, and celebrate the raíces that continue to shape our cultures today!

Hispanic Heritage Month Career Expo, an event celebrating the achievements, leadership, and impact of Hispanic professionals across industries while connecting students with employers committed to building diverse and inclusive workplaces.

The day will begin with a keynote presentation, followed by a featured discussion, "The Hispanic Collective: ERGs and the Hispanic Voice in Industry," where professionals will share how Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) foster community, professional growth, and leadership opportunities within their organizations.

Participants will take part in interactive career workshops led by GEICO and General Motors. Students will be divided into two groups, allowing everyone to participate in both employer sessions. The afternoon concludes with an open networking session, giving attendees the opportunity to connect directly with recruiters, hiring managers, and industry professionals. This event is co-hosted by SHPE and DICE.

External registration Link: https://stonybrookuniversity.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9ogdouXaJez3Aiy

• RSVP
• RSVP

The Hispanic Heritage Month Planning Committee welcomes the involvement of volunteers to staff events. Please sign up to be part of our collective work. Thank you in advance for your help in making this year's Hispanic Heritage Month a great success!

Events where volunteering staff support is welcomed include the 37th Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony, with more to come as we get closer to the month!

The Hispanic Heritage Month Planning Committee is a network of faculty, staff, and students. The HHM Planning Committee welcomes members of the Seawolves community to participate or collaborate all year long. For interest in joining the HHM Planning Committee, for volunteering opportunities, to make donations, or for general questions, contact hhmplanning@stonybrook.edu.

The Hispanic Heritage Month Planning Committee welcomes the involvement of volunteers to staff events. Please sign up to be part of our collective work. Thank you in advance for your help in making this year's Hispanic Heritage Month a great success!

Events where volunteering staff support is welcomed include the 37th Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony, with more to come as we get closer to the month!

The Hispanic Heritage Month Planning Committee is a network of faculty, staff, and students. The HHM Planning Committee welcomes members of the Seawolves community to participate or collaborate all year long. For interest in joining the HHM Planning Committee, for volunteering opportunities, to make donations, or for general questions, contact hhmplanning@stonybrook.edu.

Hispanic Heritage Month isn’t over yet at SBU! 😝 Join Student Engagement and Activities, Diversity, Intercultural, and Community Engagement Office & Jubile Latino in celebrating with us at Sunset Salsa Night as we bring together music, dance, culture, and community. 🕺🏽💃🏽🌅🎶

Enjoy a dance tutorial with Jubilé Latino🕺🏽💃🏽 , build your own plate at our nacho bar 🌮, sip on refreshing mocktails🍹, and participate in fun activities and prizes ✨throughout the event!
Whether you're an experienced dancer or have never danced salsa before, everyone is welcomed🤗.
Come learn some new moves, enjoy good food and drinks, connect with others, and keep the celebration going! ❤️💃🏽

📅 Saturday, November 7

⏰ 3:00 PM–5:00 PM

📍 SB Union Ballroom
¡Baila con nosotros!

This event is FREE and open to all SBU undergraduate and graduate students and their guests!

First come, first served.

Day of the Event: Upon arriving at the event, staff will ask you to check in by scanning the QR Code through the Campus Groups app.

 For accessibility needs please contact sea_programsandtraditions@stonybrook.edu


Join our Red Hot Rewards Program!

The Hispanic Heritage Month Planning Committee welcomes the involvement of volunteers to staff events. Please sign up to be part of our collective work. Thank you in advance for your help in making this year's Hispanic Heritage Month a great success!

Events where volunteering staff support is welcomed include the 37th Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony, with more to come as we get closer to the month!

The Hispanic Heritage Month Planning Committee is a network of faculty, staff, and students. The HHM Planning Committee welcomes members of the Seawolves community to participate or collaborate all year long. For interest in joining the HHM Planning Committee, for volunteering opportunities, to make donations, or for general questions, contact hhmplanning@stonybrook.edu.

Join la familia on Tuesday, October 6th at 8 PM at SAC 302 for our DIY Rep Your Flag tote bag-making event. Enjoy company, arts and crafts, and snacks!

Come and create beautiful decorations as we kick off Hispanic Heritage Month!
UNITI Hangout is a weekly Wednesday space to relax, connect, and have fun while celebrating different cultures, identities, and experiences. Through a series of events, we’ll explore creativity, curiosity, and most importantly—have fun!

This week, join the UCC team on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM as we decorate the UNITI Cultural Center (Union 113) in Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month!
Enjoy Dunkin Pumpkin Munchkins and Hot Chocolate for the first 50 participants!

The Hispanic Heritage Month Planning Committee welcomes the involvement of volunteers to staff events. Please sign up to be part of our collective work. Thank you in advance for your help in making this year's Hispanic Heritage Month a great success!

Events where volunteering staff support is welcomed include the 37th Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony, with more to come as we get closer to the month!

The Hispanic Heritage Month Planning Committee is a network of faculty, staff, and students. The HHM Planning Committee welcomes members of the Seawolves community to participate or collaborate all year long. For interest in joining the HHM Planning Committee, for volunteering opportunities, to make donations, or for general questions, contact hhmplanning@stonybrook.edu.

On Wednesday 9/30 from 7-9:30pm at the Stony Brook Union Auditorium, LMSA in partnership with Health Sciences Student Life, will host local physician and author, Dr. Harold Fernandez.

Join us for a special screening his powerful documentary (Undocumented) that follows his journey from Colombia to arriving in the United States undocumented, through his path to medicine. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion, Q&A and a book signing.

Panelists:
• Dr. Fernandez, cardiothoracic surgeon at Northwell Hospital
• Patricia Shih, director of the documentary
• Andrea Madrid, Deputy Director of Legal Services for CARECEN (CARECEN is a local non-profit that provides low-cost legal assistance and advocates for the local immigrant community.)
• Trejo-Lopez brothers from Long Island that were detained by ICE and deported to El Salvador [Joining via Zoom]

Join HSO and LASO for Raíces & Rasin on Tuesday, September 29th, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM in SAC Ballroom A! Come celebrate the Latin American culture of Haiti and other countries, as well as the heritage and community. There will be an opportunity to enjoy food, music, and activities while learning about the traditions and cultural roots represented by both organizations. Come together with us for a night of cultural appreciation, connection, and celebration!

LASO will be doing a food fundraiser to raise money for our organization.

Join MEXSO 🇲🇽 for our Karaoke Night 🎤, where you can spend time with others, have some fun, and enjoy singing along to some of your favorite Mexican classics! 🎶✨

Bring your friends, show off your singing skills, and enjoy a night filled with music, laughter, and good vibes. 🇲🇽❤️

Come ready to sing, connect, and make some great memories! 🎤🎶

LASO will be hosting our weekly general body meeting. This meeting is meant to connect LASO eboard members to our general body. It also connects Stony Brook students to each other.

Hosted by Diversity, Intercultural & Community Engagement, Recreation and Wellness, and Student Engagement & Activities (SEA).

Join us for a trip to see the WNBA New York Liberty take on the Atlanta Dream at Barclays Center on Monday, September 21st at 8:00 PM for Noche Latina Night!

Your ticket includes admission to the game and round-trip transportation from Stony Brook University.

Students should meet at the Stony Brook Union at 3:30 PM for check-in. The bus will depart promptly at 4:00 PM.

All students must utilize the provided transportation to and from the event unless approved by the trip chaperone on the day of the trip. Failure to do so may result in suspension from future off-campus trips.

Tickets are $15 for undergraduate and $25 for graduate students.

Tickets are on sale now!

Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable. Failure to attend the event after registration may result in suspension from future off-campus trips.

If you have any questions, please email beyondthebrook@stonybrook.edu.

The OBGYN Department and URiM Committee present: 

Honoring Heritage, Empowering Birth

Join us as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and come together for conversations on maternal health, culture, and community. We’ll explore topics including lactation, doula support, culturally responsive care, and disparities in maternal health.

September 17th | 5:30–8:30 PM
500 Commack Road, Commack, NY – Conference Room

Open to the general public.
Registration required. Sign Up Here
Refreshments will be served

The Black & Latinx Student Involvement Fair is a vibrant showcase of 60+ student organizations, including social, cultural, pre-professional, performance, fraternity & sororities, graduate and undergraduate groups, etc. Explore information for campus resources and meet your campus student leaders who support and celebrates the Black and Latinx communities at Stony Brook University. This annual tradition creates a welcoming space for students to connect with peers, learn about involvement opportunities, and build a sense of community on campus.
All SBU students are invited to join us for an evening of networking, music, and cultural celebration while discovering ways to get engaged and make an impact at SBU. The event will feature:
🍦 ICE Cream Bar and Snacks
🎧 Live DJ
📸 360° Photobooth
🎭 Organization Showcase & Performances
🎁 3 College Starter & SB SWAG Basket Giveaways

Student Clubs & Organizations: SIGN UP DEADLINE: Friday, September 11
If your group would like to participate, please sign up using this link:
Black & Latinx Involvement Fair CLUB & ORG Sign-Up Form

Event Details:
📅 Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2026
🕖 Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Set-up begins at 6:00 PM)
📍 Location: SAC Ballroom A
💲 Cost: Free and open to all SBU students