The Faces and Stories of Hispanic Heritage at Elon
We at the Edge understand the stress of beginning college: leaving home behind, making new friends, and having to rediscover a cultural community. For many coming to Elon, this is difficult given the slim margins of diversity. For this reason, highlighting the already established cultural community within our campus is incredibly important.
Although the Latino student body on campus may be small, (making up about 8.7% as of fall of 2025) it doesn't stop them from working to cultivate a space where they can identify with one another and celebrate their shared heritage, especially during Hispanic Heritage Month.
El Centro, the cultural hub for Elon’s latino community, began the chain of celebratory events with their annual kickoff in Medallion Plaza on Sept. 15th. The event had a live regional Mexico group and catered food from a local restaurant. For students, this event carries much significance, especially for those far from home.
El Centro Student Coordinator Cindy Mungiyez explains the importance of these cultural events, and how they cultivate cultural community for the student body.
“...it reunites us with our culture, for those of us who are far away [from home]” Cindy Mungiyez said.
The loud music echoed on the brick walls of the Medallion Plaza, the same way it would at a family or household party. The strums of the guitars ignited a rhythm in the crowd that everyone participated in; everyone mirrored the same two steps regardless of having learned them in entirely different places. The beauty of culture lies in sharing something we might not even know we have in common until it comes to fruition, like knowing the same passes our parents taught us regardless of never having met.
Alongside El Centro, the Latino and Hispanic Student Union, also known as LHU, hosted their share of events to commemorate the month. To celebrate the ninth year of the organization, on Sept. 17th they hosted a birthday party in El Centro . The party included food and a fun chance to feel like a kid again by getting spun around and attempting to break open a piñata.
Cultural community is important, but so is feeling like a kid again. Having little moments in college that mirror moments of your childhood can help you feel grounded again and remind you that even the smallest moments of familiarity can bring you joy and comfort in a completely new and foreign place.
On Sept. 18th, LHU also hosted their annual Habana, a party at the College Taphouse including a hired D.J. Similar to El Centro’s Kickoff, La Habana allows students to celebrate through the form of dance, something Latino culture heavily embraces.
Mungiyez highlights how the events welcome all interested in participating and celebrating Latino heritage and tradition, even those outside of the identity.
“I really liked seeing that people who aren't latinos come in and have fun and enjoy the moment as well, which really shows that our events aren't just exclusive to us and that so many others can join,” Mungiyez said.
Although the Latino student body does a great job at putting on events during the months of September and October, the importance of cultural community, especially with the margins of diversity at Elon, goes beyond Hispanic Heritage Month; it is something we as humans innately seek from one another and needs support and participation to flourish. With the help of the Elon community, it is something Elon can continue to grow and establish for incoming classes to come.
Let us know your favorite part of Hispanic Heritage Month on Instagram @TheEdge!
Thumbnail: Barbara Duran