During Latinx/a/o/e Heritage Month, CSUN celebrates Nuestra Gente, Raíces y Cultura — our people, roots and culture — and the many experiences and traditions that shape the university community. As a Hispanic Serving Institution, CSUN is home to more than 20,000 Latinx students, representing 56% of the student body.
Across campus, student organizations give Matadors opportunities to connect through shared experiences, build community and find a sense of belonging. At this fall’s Meet the Clubs event, CSUN Newsroom spoke with students from several Latinx-focused student organizations about what their involvement has meant to their CSUN experience and what they want other students to know about getting involved.
For Iren Suarez of the CSUN Latino Business Association, getting involved can open doors academically and professionally.
“Connecting with other students helps you find opportunities, whether that’s making sure your grades are up, forming study groups, [or] making sure that your pitch is where it should be, so that way you can network with people,” Suarez said. “It’s really important to have a community on campus that can support you.” For students considering joining, she also pointed to “lots of great opportunities,” including “helping you find an internship, or learning how to network.”
M.E.Ch.A de CSUN President Juliet Matamoros told Newsroom that joining a student group gives students a place to connect through shared experiences.
“We try to create a safe space for students of color to voice their opinions … and be there for each other,” Matamoros said. She also noted how valuable that connection can be for first-generation Matadors. “Being a first-gen student is hard already. We all come from our collective struggle, trying to make it through the system, trying to fight for a right and just curriculum and … not just on campus, but also [in] the communities around us,” she said. For students considering getting involved with M.E.Ch.A., Matamoros emphasized that activism can extend beyond campus. “Your activism doesn’t stop on campus … there’s always a struggle that somebody’s going through,” she said.
For Nayely Mercado of La Familia de CSUN, joining a student organization made a difference as she adjusted to college as a commuter student.
“Being part of the group has honestly helped me find my people at CSUN,” Mercado said. “When I first came to college, I was a commuter, but La Familia helped me find people who had the same interests and the same goals as me. It’s helped me find a place here at campus and made me more involved.” Mercado said La Familia focuses on “social networking, community service and academic excellence,” and sees those connections as especially valuable for students entering an unfamiliar college environment. “Sometimes coming to college is scary, especially for me as a first-gen Latina, that was the scariest thing.”
Explore More Latinx Student Organizations
Beyond the organizations featured above, Matadors can find several other groups that celebrate Latinx culture and offer academic, professional and social opportunities. Explore these student organizations to learn more and get involved.
Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) — Professional development, networking and career connections.
Hermanas Unidas de CSUN — Community and connection for Latina students.
Mariachi Aztlan Nueva Generacion de CSUN — Music, culture and community.
Salsa Libre — Dance, culture and social connection.
Sigma Omega Nu Latina Interest Sorority Inc. — Latina sisterhood, culture and academics.
SACNAS at CSUN — STEM community, networking and science outreach.
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) — Leadership, professional development and STEM community.
