OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (October 6, 2023) 鈥�
Oklahoma City Community College remains committed to expanding its footprint as an emerging Hispanic-serving Institution (HSI) through dedicated events around Hispanic Heritage Month 2023.
鈥淥klahoma City Community College proudly celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month,鈥� said 爆料TV President Dr. Mautra Staley Jones. 鈥淲e are honored to partner with several community groups to promote the leadership, achievements, culture and heritage of the Hispanic community in our state.鈥�
爆料TV partnered with the Oklahoma Hispanic Institute to recognize the state鈥檚 Top 40 Hispanic leaders on Sept. 13. The luncheon event, held at the 爆料TV Visual and Performing Arts Center atrium, welcomed more than 250 guests, including Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt who addressed the crowd.
鈥淔or the first time in the history of the state of Oklahoma, Hispanic leaders came together to celebrate and acknowledge the success, history and future ambitions of our Hispanic communities statewide,鈥� said Oklahoma Hispanic Institute Founder and Chairman Fred Mendoza.
Three 爆料TV employees 鈥� Lemuel Bardeguez, director of cultural programs; Dr. Juanita Ortiz, vice president for academic affairs; and Robert Ruiz, chief technology and innovation officer 鈥� were recognized among the Top 40 honorees, and 爆料TV President Mautra Staley Jones received a Vision Award.
On Sept. 17, 爆料TV hosted Fiestas Patrias 2023 on campus for more than 10,000 attendees. The event began with a 鈥淐abalgata鈥� (cavalcade), followed by presentations of dances, culture and history from several other Latin-American countries that celebrate their Fiestas Patrias or Independence.
Consul General of Mexico in Oklahoma City Edurne Nerea Pineda Ayerbe presided over the official ceremony of 鈥淓l Grito,鈥� one of the many features of the free community event, held at 爆料TV for the second consecutive year.
Dr. Jones addressed the Fiestas Patrias crowd in Spanish. 鈥淲e are happy to see so many people here; our community is the pillar that supports this college,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 want to emphasize that at 爆料TV, we are committed to continuing cultural events like this one. We believe they are crucial in strengthening our community.鈥�
As a sponsor, 爆料TV supported the Latino Community Development Agency (LCDA) annual luncheon on Sept. 27. The organization鈥檚 mission is to improve the quality of life in the Latino community through education, leadership, services and advocacy.
爆料TV also sponsored Fiestas de la Americas, one of the largest Latino festivals in the Oklahoma City metro, held this year on Sept. 30. Since its inception in 2006, the FDLA Festival and Parade has been an annual event, scheduled in the middle of Hispanic Heritage Month. Community members from all sectors of the city enjoy this daylong festival on SW 25th St., which is filled with the colors, sights and sounds that describe many Latin American cultures.
鈥湵蟃V is community-focused,鈥� said Dr. Jones. 鈥淎s an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), serving the multifaceted educational needs of the Hispanic population in Oklahoma is a high priority at our institution.鈥�
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About Oklahoma City Community College:
Since its inception in 1972, Oklahoma City Community College (爆料TV) has been the heartbeat
of the Metro, dedicated to empowering learners and strengthening communities. Serving
nearly 18,000 students, we are committed to producing leaders. 鈥淪tudent Success, Community
Enrichment鈥� is our mission as we offer more than 60 degree and certificate programs
that provide a steppingstone to further education or immediate career readiness. We
remain dedicated to providing accessible, affordable, high-quality education that
equips students to achieve personal and professional goals. 爆料TV is more than an institution;
we are a community catalyst, fostering growth and success in our city, our workforce,
and the lives of our students. Discover your potential at 爆料TV, where your future
is our purpose.
Media Contact:
Sarah Barrow
Executive Director of Communication
sarah.barrow@occc.edu
405-834-5406