Cultural Resources for Hispanic-Latino Students

Support, Empowerment, and Connection for Hispanic-Latino Students

Campus diversity amongst students has grown considerably over the years and colleges vie to maintain an inclusive atmosphere; allowing all students to gain exposure, perceptions, global awareness, and a willingness to collaborate peacefully and freely. Whether serving as a forum for communication, helping students build strong social networks, or simply in pursuit of a welcoming space amongst other Hispanic or Latino students; UCF undoubtedly has a place where you will find your connections.

UCF is proudly federally recognized as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI); the Hispanic enrollment at UCF exceeding 25 percent. Aware of this rise in enrollment, UCF strives to be sure their campus promotes an inclusive HSI culture. They list their values as authenticity, equity, unity, ingenuity. There are various organizations for Hispanic and Latino students at UCF that are sponsored by professional societies, while others focus on diversity, mentoring, networking, college achievement, and other types of support. There is undoubtedly a place where all students can find their connections.

Check out the various resource offered:

• Crear Futuros – College Readiness, Achievement, and Retention means “to create futures”  and is a peer-mentor based initiative designed to improve Latino student success.
• Knightly Latino – UCF’s Spanish-language media team, providing stories focusing on the Latino community in English and Spanish.
• Latino Faculty and Staff Association – LaFaSA’s mission is to advance academic and professional opportunities that would enhance the status of Latinos within the university community.
• Puerto Rico Research Hub – investigates the Puerto Rican population and demographic trends to better inform public policy decisions including housing demands, jobs, health issues, social integration, and education, among other areas of emphasis.

Below are the many clubs and organizations offered to serve the Latinx and Hispanic communities.

• Brazilian Student Association integrates and supports the Brazilian community on campus while promoting cultural awareness on both Brazil and the Portuguese language.
• Cuban-American Student Association – participates in socials, service opportunities, and is involved in cultural events, like Hispanic Heritage month and Cuban Independence Day.
• Destino – works to create leaders from the Latinx and Hispanic community to impact UCF’s campus and community. This organization is also religious-based.
• Dominican Student Association – works to educate and empower the voice of Latinxs on campus in an effort to assist in cultural awareness, diversity, and to promote community engagement and inclusion for all Afro-Latinxs.
• Juntos Latino Leadership Council’s – mission is to help create leaders to work with the community, create a basis of Latinx unity and friendship, and provide a strong united voice for. Juntos works to serve as an educational and cultural learning instrument for all students, faculty, and staff.
• Latin American Student Association (LASA)  – strives to promote the Latin/Hispanic culture at UCF and in the Central Florida area. LASA serves as a connection organization to unite the Latinx community, function as a support system for Latinxs, and provide educational and cultural activities for members to participate in.
• Latin Rhythm – works to expand cultural knowledge of its members through the use and practice of Latin dance.
• Latino Medical Student Association Plus – empowers pre-med students through service, mentorship, and education, to advocate for health in the Latinx community.
• Mexican Student Association, or MexSA – committed to providing awareness among the UCF community about Mexican culture, traditions, and customs.
• Rio Platense Alliance’s mission is to build relationships between Uruguayan and Argentinian students at UCF and to embrace the Rio Platense culture through socials involving popular cuisine, music, and upbringings from Uruguay and Argentina.
• Society for the Advancement of Minorities in STEM – offers a support system to ensure the success of all underrepresented minorities, including Hispanics, in STEM.
• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers – promotes the development of Hispanics in the fields of engineering, science, and other technical professions.
• Spanish Graduate Association (SaGA) – works to promote the growth of undergraduate and graduate students interested in Spanish linguistics, literature, and culture.
• Venezuelan Student Association (VENSA) – wants to educate people on the crisis in Venezuela right now, as well as promote unity and share the Venezuelan culture with those at UCF and in the Orlando area.

UCF has sororities and fraternities that specifically recognize Hispanic students.

• Chi Upsilon Sigma National Sorority – is part of the diversified Greek council at UCF. The chapter concentrates on programming centered on social, political, educational, and cultural awareness
• Lambda Theta Alpha – is the first Latin Sorority in the nation. Its purpose is to cater to the needs of women on the UCF campus.
• Lambda Theta Phi – is the first Latin Fraternity in the US and on UCF’s campus. Their focus is on academic excellence and assisting the community.

You will also find that there are scholarships available to the Hispanic and Latin community, starting with the National Hispanic Scholarship awarded to exceptional high school students who for undergraduate admissions. UCF encourages students to visit the Hispanic Scholarship Fund for additional scholarships dedicated to Hispanic students. It should also be mentioned that in 2019, UCF received recognition as one of the top 100 schools for Hispanic students in the U.S. In addition, UCF celebrates Latinx Heritage month ever September.

Pass on these great tips, tell your friends and like us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Find out more about how to use HaveUHeard as a great resource. Sign up for other great tips at haveuheard.com.