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Querida comunidad y familia de NJCU,

Today marks the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month, a time of profound significance at our university where we celebrate the enduring contributions and limitless potential of our Hispanic community. This year's theme, "Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future," captures the essence of what we represent at New Jersey City University — a place where our rich historia serves as the foundation for the transformative futures we are building together.

We are proud of our roots as one of the oldest minority and Hispanic-serving public university in the State of New Jersey, located in the most diverse city in the country. These designations are calls to action and monikers of responsibility that guide our mission every day.

As we honor our collective heritage this month, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our Hispanic Heritage Month committee for their exceptional work in developing a robust month-long calendar of events that will engage our entire community. Special recognition goes to Dr. Franca Roibal Fernández, faculty member of the World Languages and Cultures Department and Director of the Center for Latin American, Caribbean & Latino/a/e/x Studies and El Centro, for her outstanding leadership of the HHM committee. Her dedication ensures that this celebration reflects the full spectrum of our community's experiences and contributions. 

I encourage all members of our community to participate in the meaningful events planned throughout the month. You can find the complete schedule each week in This Week at NJCU or visit our website at /community/community-classes-programs/council-hispanic-affairs/hispanic-heritage-month. We officially opened this month of celebration with our annual Hispanic Heritage Month Opening Ceremony today in the Gilligan Student Union, and I was pleased to see many of you there. 

The Hispanic community's contributions to our nation's culture, history, and economy cannot be overstated. Today, the Hispanic/Latino population of over 65 million represents nearly 20% of the United States according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, making it the largest racial or ethnic minority group and the youngest, fastest-growing community in our country. This is a characteristic that will contribute to U.S. population growth for decades to come. The economic impact is equally profound— the Latino GDP has reached $3.2 trillion, which would rank as the . Hispanic-owned businesses continue to drive innovation and growth, increasing by more than 34% since 2007 and contributing significantly to sectors ranging from technology and clean energy to healthcare and entrepreneurship. 

I feel a profound responsibility to ensure that our students — many of whom share similar backgrounds as first-generation Americans — have access to the transformative opportunities that higher education provides. As the first-generation son of working-class Cuban immigrants, I understand deeply the power of education to change not just individual lives, but entire families and communities.

Our comunidad is a beautiful fusion of traditions, histories, art, diverse beliefs, and global experiences that enrich every aspect of our campus life. From the rhythms of our música to the innovations in our laboratories, from the stories told in our classrooms to the leadership demonstrated in our student organizations, the Hispanic heritage at NJCU reverberates with the promise of our nation's founding ideals.

During this month of celebration, let us speak con una voz y con mucho orgullo of who we are, where we come from, and where we are going juntos. Let us honor the pioneers who came before us while inspiring the next generation of leaders who will continue to shape our limitless future.

Con cariño, admiración, y siempre en servicio,


President
New Jersey City University