Hispanic Heritage 2025 | Triton College

September 15 – October 15, 2025

National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. The 30-day period commemorates the many contributions and cultural influences among those with Spanish, Mexican, Caribbean and Central and South American heritage.

Celebrating Hispanic heritage began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon B. Johnson, according to hispanicheritagemonth.gov. The week was expanded to a month-long observance in 1988 under President Ronald Reagan. Hispanic Heritage Month was enacted into law on Aug. 17, 1988, with the approval of Public Law 100-402.

Today, Hispanic Heritage Month is observed through a variety of events, including festivals, concerts and educational programs, all celebrating the achievements and influence of Hispanics in the United States.

The Triton College Library Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

Celebrate Hispanic Architects
Wednesday, Sept. 24
11 a.m.
Library Upper Commons

Commemorate Hispanic Heritage with celebrating Hispanic Architects on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 11 a.m. in the Library Upper Commons (A Building). The Library will host a special lecture presented by Douglas Gilbert from the college’s Architecture Department. He will explore the Modernist architectural history and highlight the significance of Louis Barragán’s houses.

Hispanic Heritage Month Read In
Wednesday, Oct. 1
11 a.m.
First Floor of the Library

Hosted by math faculty Dr. Tuan Dean, students, faculty and staff will read passages from their favorite Hispanic authors. Triton College President Mary-Rita Moore will also read a passage from her favorite Hispanic author. Nos vemos allí!

For more information, contact librarians@triton.edu.

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The Heritage Committee and the Professional Development Center is hosting a Hispanic Heritage Month Event!

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
Thursday, Sept. 18
1-2 p.m.
B204/210 (B Building)

Join us for an afternoon of culture, games and food for all employees!

Enjoy a staff cultural showcase, play Lotería (Mexican Bingo) for sweet prizes, savor Mexican churros and horchata and explore traditional Latin American recipes from our Triton community—all set to lively Latin American music.

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Hispanic Heritage Month Student Spotlight

Trinity Barrueta
Trinity Barrueta, a Triton College graduate from North Riverside, credits her geology instructor, Dr. Sheldon Turner, with inspiring her to apply to the STEMSEAS program – a unique voyage to spend 12 days at sea conducting oceanic research. Barrueta was one of just 15 undergraduate students selected nationwide for the expedition.

“It was the most exciting thing I’ve ever done,” she said.

STEMSEAS (STEM Student Experiences Aboard Ships), funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), provides students with ocean excursions and research experience while fostering a sense of belonging in STEM fields—science, technology, engineering and math.

Barrueta’s group set sail San Diego on June 1 and landed in Dutch Harbor, Alaska on June 12. The students used the ship’s onboard science labs to conduct geoscience and oceanography research. Working in teams, they conducted projects with planktoscopes, fluorometers, multi-beams, virtual machines and other technologies.

“My group focused on the concentration of fluorescent light and how it correlates to the temperature and salinity of water,” she said. “We used the ship’s fluorometer and instruments to find data.”

In addition to research, Barrueta was amazed by ocean life – an experience far different from what she sees near Lake Michigan.

“I’m a huge animal lover,” she explained. “I saw starfish, sea lions and even squids.”

Turning her love of science into a career, Barrueta will attend Elmhurst University in the fall to study bioinformatics, with hopes of becoming a data scientist in the marine biology field. She says she’s proud of the foundation Triton College gave her, especially the associate degree in science she earned from the college this past spring.

“Current students should enjoy every minute of their experience at Triton College,” she said Barrueta. “Follow your passion.”

To read the students’ blog during the excursion, Click HERE.

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In-District Hispanic Heritage Month Gatherings

Lotería for Niños
Saturday, Sept. 20
2-3 p.m.
Northlake Public Library
231 N. Wolf Road
Northlake

Latine and Hispanic Heritage Celebration
Saturday, Sept. 27
2-4 p.m.
Forest Park Public Library
7555 Jackson Blvd
Forest Park

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Other Hispanic Heritage Month Gatherings

Chicago Cubs
Hispanic and Latino Heritage Celebration
Thursday, Sept. 25
Chicago Cubs vs. New York Mets
6:40 p.m.

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Support Latino-Owned Restaurants

Maria’s Mexican Restaurant
9440 Foster Ave.
Chicago
(773) 992-2288