The University of Houston-Downtown's official social media platforms will showcase members of the Gator Community during National Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 - Oct. 15.

The observance began nationwide in 1968 when U.S. Congress authorized the president to issue an annual proclamation designating National Hispanic Heritage Week. Just two decades later, lawmakers expanded it to a monthlong celebration.

UHD will spotlight various groups, programs and individuals on its social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram), including:

• UHD’s Mariachi Band (Mariachi Los Caimanes)
• UHD Center for Latino Studies
• Latinas Achieve
• Paula Mendoza – UHD Alumna, CEO of Possible Missions and former University of Houston System Regent
• Mariselle Quijano – UHD Alumna, Owner/Operator-McDonald’s Restaurants
• Angel Quesada – UHD Alumnus, Artist

UHD is designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education with more than 50 percent of its students identifying as Hispanic. As a federally-designated HSI, UHD has long hosted programs and initiatives focused on the Hispanic experience locally and globally.

The University also  is home to the Center for Latino Studies, as well as a Latino Studies Minor (offered through the College of Humanities & Social Sciences). Additionally, members of the UHD community are involved with organizations such as the Texas Association for Chicanos in Higher Education (seeking to address Hispanic issues in higher education) and student organizations, such as Latinas Achieve and the Association for Latino Professionals in America. Additionally, programs in UHD’s Department of Urban Education such as Camino a la Universidad provides mentoring opportunities to Latina middle school students, and the E-Book Library offers young students (who speak Spanish as their first language) free bilingual online texts as reading resources.