Contact: Debra Dennis
ddennis@dcccd.edu; 214-378-1851
For immediate release — Sept. 18, 2015
Students at Mountain View College celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
(DALLAS) — Dallas County Community College District is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in September and October, featuring speakers, a luncheon, a spoken-word performance and readings to honor the rich tradition, history, culture and contributions made by Hispanics.
The observance will be held through Oct. 15 at all DCCCD campuses; events are free and open to the public, and three Eastfield College activities are scheduled in late October/early November. A list of events is provided below in date order, by college.
Richland College
Monday, Sept. 21 — Theatrical production group Will & Company presents “Latinos Shaping a Nation” at 11 a.m. in room 118 of Sabine Hall at Richland. The play addresses social justice issues, including same-sex marriage, gender equality, immigration and reproductive rights.
Monday, Sept. 28 — A presentation titled “The Importance of Youth in Civic Engagement” is scheduled with Sandra Tovar, Dallas-area coordinator for Mi Familia Voca, a national nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. The program will be presented twice, first at 11 a.m. and then at 2 p.m.; both sessions will be held in room 118 of Sabine Hall.
Thursday, Oct. 8 — Richland College and the city of Dallas’ Office of Intercultural Affairs will present an interactive performance titled “Mitotiliztli Yaoyollohtli — Mexican Mitote” from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the East Breezeway, located near the library. Mexican Mitote is the Aztec language; the program will feature tribal dancing, drumming and a brief look at the Mexihca-Nahuatl philosophy.
Tuesday, Oct. 13 — Guest artist and poet Dr. Octavio Quintanilla will speak and read from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Lago Vista. His poetry has been published in a number of outlets. Quintanilla is a CantoMundo Fellow; he earned his doctorate from the University of North Texas, and he serves as the South Texas editor for Texas Books in Review. He teaches literature and creative writing for the Master of Fine Arts program at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio.
For more information, contact Katie McClelland at 972-238-6019 or email her at
kmcclelland@dcccd.edu. Richland College is located at 12800 Abrams Road in Dallas.
Author, commentator and Republican strategist Leslie Sanchez (center) at Mountain View College.
Mountain View College
Tuesday, Sept. 22 — Author, political commentator and Republican strategist Leslie Sanchez will speak at 11 a.m. at the Mountain View Performance Hall. Sanchez, author of “You’ve Come a Long Way, Maybe: Sarah, Michelle, Hillary and the Shaping of the New American Woman,” will discuss her educational pursuits, personal tale of determination and luck, and shifts in the Latino vote.
A 12:30 p.m. lunch will be held in room W-38m, and Sanchez, who is former director of the White House Initiative, will take questions afterward. The luncheon is free, but space is limited and reservations are required. To make reservations, contact the MVC Office of Student Life at 214-860-8715. Mountain View College is located at 4849 W. Illinois Ave. in Dallas. For more information, contact Jill Lain, director of marketing and public relations, by email at
JillLain@dcccd.edu or call 214-860-8845.
Cedar Valley College
Tuesday, Sept. 22 — A reading titled “Living in Venezuela” will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the library. Maria Boccalandro, who directs Cedar Valley’s sustainability programs, is the featured speaker. Boccalandro is former director of Vital Voices Venezuela and is a member of Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas.
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Thursday, Oct. 15, Student Cultural Presentations will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the courtyard.
For more information, contact Henry Martinez, director of marketing and public relations, by phone at 972-860-8142 or by email at
hmartinez@dcccd.edu. Cedar Valley College is located at 3010 N. Dallas Ave. in Lancaster.
North Lake College
Wednesday, Sept. 23 — Will & Company will make an appearance at North Lake College. The acting troupe will take the stage from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Student Life Center. The nationally acclaimed producers of “The Faces of America” and “Portraits of Courage” will include the audience in its performance, which addresses social justice issues, including same-sex marriage, gender equality, immigration and reproductive rights. For more information, contact Tremaya Reynolds by phone at 972-273-3464 or by email at
treynolds@dcccd.edu. North Lake College is located at 5001 N. MacArthur Blvd. in Irving.
El Centro College
Thursday, Sept. 24 — California-based acting troupe Will & Company will examine social justice with a performance titled “50 Years: On Latinos Shaping a Nation” at 11:15 a.m. in El Centro’s Performance Hall. For more information, contact Amy Loftis, senior special projects manager, by phone at 214-860-2399 or by email at
amy.loftis@dcccd.edu. El Centro College is located at 801 Main St. in downtown Dallas.
Brookhaven College
Wednesday, Sept. 30 — Students, staff and community members are invited to participate in a Hispanic Heritage Month Trivia Game at the college from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Service Center lobby.
Wednesday, Oct. 14 — Brookhaven College will host its Hispanic Heritage Festival from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Student Service Center lobby.
For more information, contact Meridith Danforth, director of marketing and creative services, by phone at 972-860-4823 or by email at
mdanforth@dcccd.edu. Brookhaven College is located at 3939 Valley View Lane in Farmers Branch/Dallas.
Eastfield College
Now through Nov. 2 — Eastfield is extending its Hispanic Heritage Month celebration through Nov. 2 with an exhibit at the library titled “Special Dia de los Muertos” or “Day of the Dead.”
Other events at Eastfield include:
Monday, Oct. 12 — Anita Martinez Ballet Folklorico will perform at 11:30 a.m. in the Lower Courtyard.
Wednesday, Oct. 14 — Renowned Cuban/salsa/tropical band Havana NRG will perform at 12:30 p.m. in C-237A (C Building). The Hispanic Heritage Festival begins at 12:30 p.m. in the Performance Hall.
Wednesday, Oct. 21 — The Different Tastes of Salsa will be presented at 11:15 a.m. in C-135 (C Building) by Chef Lydia Gonzalez.
Tuesday, Oct. 27 — Joaquin Zihuatanejo, a National Poetry Slam finalist and Grand Slam Spoken Word champion, performs at 11 a.m. in C-135 (C Building). The Dallas-based poet also has appeared on HBO’s “Def Poet.”
Monday, Nov. 2 — Eastfield’s Hispanic Heritage Month Knowledge Bowl begins at 10:10 a.m. in the Pit.
For more information about Eastfield’s Hispanic Heritage Month activities, contact Sharon Cook, college communications liaison, by phone at 972-860-7629 or by email at
scook@dcccd.edu. Eastfield College is located at 3737 Motley Drive in Mesquite.
Hispanic Heritage Month was launched in 1968 and is celebrated annually at DCCCD. Hispanics make up the largest minority in Texas and are on target to become the largest group in the next few years.
For more information, contact Debra Dennis in the DCCCD office of public and governmental affairs at 214-378-1851.
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