Despite Challenges, Colleges Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

​Hispanic Heritage Month is coming to a close on October 15. This is an important month to celebrate in the Riverside Community College District (RCCD) where 61 percent of students identify as Hispanic. The District and all three of its colleges appreciate the leadership of the associated students and their student clubs, as well as faculty and staff who provided opportunities for students to participate in celebrations, music and art exhibits, panel discussions and open forums, both in-person and online.

As Hispanic Serving Institutions, RCCD colleges recognize the important role Hispanic students play in the communities served by the colleges. According to the upcoming October issue of Hispanic Outlook on Education Magazine all three RCCD colleges rank as one of the top 100 colleges and universities in the nation for Hispanics.

Riverside City College

• • • 2019-2020 Total Associate Degrees Granted - #10
    • 2019-2020 Total Enrollment 2-year Schools - #10

Moreno Valley College

• • • 2019-2020 Total Associate Degrees Granted - #46
    • 2019-2020 Total Enrollment 2-year Schools - #48

Norco College

• • • 2019-2020 Total Associate Degrees Granted - #58
    • 2019-2020 Total Enrollment 2-year Schools - #52

Last year, Hispanics made up 62.1 million individuals in this country, or 19 percent of the nation's population. This percentage is growing every day, especially in southern California. In 1968, Lyndon B. Johnson signed an executive order to celebrate a Hispanic Heritage Day. Later, Ronald Reagan chose to extend the celebrations of Hispanic Heritage to a full month. On September 13, President Biden released an Executive Order - the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics. These actions taken by our nation's Presidents signal the increasing importance of Hispanics and their unique contributions to life, liberty and happiness in the USA.

Under pandemic conditions it might have been excusable to tamper with or possibly even limit the Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations. However, this wasn't the case as the colleges' student groups and diversity committees worked to ensure students, staff and community had a means to tell their stories and share their passion for Hispanic culture and traditions.

Although Hispanic Heritage Month will be coming to close on October 15, at RCCD we will continue the discussion and encourage the exploration of the history of students and their ancestors who migrated from Spain, Mexico, Central America and other locations who identify as Hispanic. The truth of the matter is that Hispanics have and will contribute to the development of this country, and this heritage should be celebrated.

With the recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, the District and its leadership reaffirm RCCD's commitment to the Hispanic communities in the Inland Empire. Our goal is to provide an equitable and inclusive learning environment that provides opportunities for all students to succeed in their academic pursuits. This includes the Hispanic majority, and everyone else who wants or needs a high-quality education throughout the communities served by RCCD and its colleges.​

Wolde-Ab Isaac, Ph.D.
Chancellor​