From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, Hispanic Heritage Month is meant to amplify the Hispanic community and culture. At OU, there are many registered student organizations dedicated to lifting up Hispanic students.
OU has a growing population of Hispanic students. As of fall 2024, there are 4,119 Hispanic students enrolled at OU, a 36.7% increase since 2020.
Natalie Roman, vice chair of Latinos Unidos, an organization that promotes voter registration to Hispanic students, said this year has looked a little different since Gov. Kevin Stitt’s 2023 executive order, calling for a review of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at Oklahoma universities.
Following Stitt’s executive order, OU’s Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion changed its function and name to the Division of Access and Opportunity in March.
Roman said although the executive order ended the funding for these organizations on campus, it has not stopped the university from showing its support.
“I really appreciate that we have university support,” Roman said. “I really like that we celebrate (Hispanic Heritage Month) with the campus because it gives me and other people a chance to represent where we come from.”
The Hispanic American Student Association, Latinos Unidos and the Venezuelan Association all have common goals, including emphasizing civic engagement, encouraging their members to fight for change in the community and fighting for policies that support the Hispanic community every day, not just during Hispanic Heritage Month.
“It's really important to be aware of (the changes in policy), and not only to use your voice, but your vote,” Roman said.
Oklahoma policies have affected and continue to dishearten those of the Hispanic community on campus.
“I worked very closely with (the DEI office’s) staff, and they created a very comforting process for me, as the first in my family to attend university in the U.S.,” Nathalia Valdez, vice president of OU’s Venezuelan Association, said.
Valdez said it was devastating to see the defunding of the DEI office and the effect it had on the community, but she continues to stay positive in what can be controlled within her organization.
Roman said Hispanic Heritage Month is meant to lift the community up, though with this year’s legislative debates over inclusion it is even more important to celebrate. Millie Martinez, senior business major and president of Hispanic American Student Association, spoke proudly of all the efforts the organization is doing to bring joy to the community during this month.
“I think (Hispanic Heritage Month) is so important because it highlights our community, our struggles and our wins as well, because without struggling, we couldn't grow to get to where we are now,” Martinez said.
Roman said she feels there is a really strong community on campus for Hispanic students.
According to an NBC news article, more than 44% of Hispanic students in the U.S. are first generation students. Valdez said many Hispanic students at OU are first generation college students, an achievement some student organizations highlight during Hispanic Heritage Month.
“There's not a lot of young Latinos reaching out for higher education,” Martinez said. “I think it just makes us more grateful that we've had the opportunity and that we persisted those challenges that (are) breaking generational curses.”
Martinez said the Hispanic community on campus is vital for students to feel supported and heard. While Hispanic Heritage Month is about celebration, perseverance and opportunity, Hispanic student organizations at OU focus on these themes throughout the year.
“We strive to make sure that our communities are represented, that we're allocating those resources, making sure that we are connecting those to our community here and that we are empowering our individuals,” Martinez said.
This story was edited by Ana Barboza, Anusha Fathepure and Ismael Lele. Riley McDaniel and Avery Avery copy edited this story.
