WYOMISSING, Pa. — As part of the college’s ongoing efforts to engage with and support the local Hispanic and Latino communities, Penn State Berks will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15–Oct. 15, 2025, with a variety of vibrant events, educational presentations and cultural showcases. These events include dynamic speakers, Latin cuisine, music, dancing and much more. All events are free and open to the public and most are held at Penn State Berks, except “Connect & Inspire,” which will be held at Centro Hispano in downtown Reading.
Hispanic Heritage Month Kickoff
Monday, Sept. 15, 12:15 p.m., Perkins Plaza
The inaugural Hispanic Heritage Month activity coincides with the Mexican Day of Independence. This event features live music from a mariachi band, remarks from Mexican heritage faculty members Cesar Martinez and Guadalupe Kasper, and Mexican food. In the event of rain, this event will take place in the first-floor Multipurpose Room in the Perkins Student Center.
Berks LaunchBox Talk: Connect & Inspire, hosted by Rosa Julia Parra and Frael Reinoso Moreta
Tuesday, Sept. 16, 6–8 p.m., Centro Hispano, 25 North 2nd Street, Reading, Pennsylvania
This Spanish-language event will offer an opportunity for entrepreneurs to make new connections and gain new ideas and inspiration to take their business forward. The event will begin with networking at 6 p.m. Then at 7 p.m., ten selected participants will give 3–4 minute talks about their business, product, or service. In addition, Andrés Gómez, a veteran TV presenter and international speaker known for his ability to connect with audiences, will share communication tips. The event is co-hosted by Rosa Julia Parra, founder of Palo Magazine, and Frael Reinoso Moreta, owner of Palaeli Studio, host the popular podcast El Posca, and Coordinator of the Berks LaunchBox Makerspace. Attendees must register in advance.
Presentation on American-Latinx experience by Javier Ávila
Wednesday, Sept. 24, 5 p.m., Luerssen 222
Javier Ávila is a professor of English, poet, novelist, and public speaker. His work has earned numerous awards, including his most recent honor as the recipient of the Cultural Arts Award from the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education. Ávila offers a close examination of the American-Latinx experience, providing a fascinating perspective on what it means to balance assimilation with cultural preservation. Light refreshments will be served.
Fiesta Latina
Wednesday, Oct. 1, 5 p.m., in the Perkins Student Center Multipurpose Room
An annual event celebrating Latin heritage, Fiesta Latina is free and open to students, faculty, staff, and the public. With the theme of “one language; many cultures,” the event will include live entertainment, followed by a taste of Latin cuisine.
Latino Forum, Your Identity Is Your Superpower
Friday, Oct. 11, 9:30–11:30 a.m., Perkins Student Center Auditorium
The 13th annual Latino Forum welcomes regional high school students and the Berks County community for an event that celebrates Latino heritage throughout the region. Keynote speaker Damary M. Bonilla-Rodriguez, a nationally recognized leadership strategist, speaker, and author, will present “Your Identity Is Your Superpower.” Bonilla-Rodriguez ignites cultures of belonging across nonprofit, private, and government sectors. With more than two decades of experience, she transforms how organizations lead and serve—helping them create spaces where every voice is valued and leadership reflects the cultural richness of the communities they represent. Pizza will be served following the talk in the Perkins Student Center Multipurpose Room.
And more
In addition to the events listed above, Penn State Berks faculty and students present bilingual, dramatic readings of traditional stories to local elementary schools. Books are collected through a book-drive for the benefit of the Berks County Migrant Education Program.
Penn State Berks Hispanic Heritage Month is supported by the Humanities Institute, the Berks Campus Student Fee, the Howard O. and Jean Beaver Endowment for Guest Lecturers at Berks Campus, and the Mrs. Harold McI. Grout and Mrs. C. Glenn Kauffman Endowment for the Arts.
For additional information on any of the events held on campus, contact Donna Chambers, teaching professor of Spanish and coordinator of the Office of Community Engagement. For more information on the Berks LaunchBox event held at Centro Hispano, contact Erica Kunkel, director of continuing education and the Berks LaunchBox.
