Minnesota State honored the richness of Latin American culture Friday with its annual Latino Night, in Ostrander.
Organized by Latin American Affairs and the Multicultural Center, the event invited the campus and the wider community to experience a vibrant evening of music, dance, food and cultural pride.
The celebration is part of a broader effort by the Division of Diversity & Inclusion to highlight and honor different cultures throughout the year.
“This is an event that, of course, every year we have in our agenda,” said Geanella Ochoa, the Interim Director of Latin American and Multicultural Affairs. “We usually, as part of the DEI division, have a special, big event for every ethnicity. So for us, it’s the Latino night.”
The event aimed to represent the full diversity of Latin America from north to south.
“Trying to make it as inclusive because Latin America is a big part of the continent with different cultural backgrounds,” said Ochoa. “So we try to include as many different countries as we can, from Mexico to South America, and make all the students belong.”
Latino Night is more than just a cultural showcase — it’s also a space for visibility and belonging.
“There are several students here who feel they belong to our community, and it’s also a way for us to be visible here,” said César Ríos, a student leader. “Because we are a big community here, Latinos, as Geanella said, from Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, other countries. So having this event. I think it’s important because they can feel they belong here.”
One of the student leaders involved, Carlos Robayo, shared what the event meant to him personally.
“I hope people take away the importance of Latinidad, how people are engaged and proud of their culture. That’s what matters,” said Robayo
This year, the event featured young talent from the community, adding an exciting and meaningful element.
“We have two groups participating in the event, one for a music band and one for a dancer group. Both of them are so young, ” Ochoa explained. “I hope that it will be the biggest takeaway for the participants to realize that also young people are aware of the importance of cultural heritage.”
One major change this year is the venue. In past years, the event was held in the CSU Ballroom, but this time, it took place in Ostrander.
“It makes a big difference,” said Ochoa. “But at the same time we are trying, even when it’s in the auditorium, to bring the same pieces of the event. Let’s say music, let’s say dancers, speakers.”
The night concluded with a reception and networking hour, offering students, faculty and community members a chance to connect more personally.
“At the end, we had a reception and network piece where students, community, authorities can meet each other between seven to eight,” Ochoa added.
Organizing an event of this size brings challenges, particularly when working around students’ busy schedules.
“We have amazing student leaders that are always here trying to help as much as they can, putting together their personal activities, with their jobs, school activities, to have a time to come to the MCC and keep doing the decorations and the planning,” Ochoa said.
Importantly, Latino Night was open to everyone — not just Latino students.
“Everyone was welcomed to come and join our celebration,” Ríos said. “That’s how Latinos are — we welcome everyone into our community.”
Photo Caption: Latin American Affairs celebrated Latin American culture Friday in Ostrander, where the MSU community experienced an evening of music, food and dance. (Logan Schlosser/The Reporter)
Write to sara.hurtado@mnsu.edu
