`Cultural Intersections’ event to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and first-generation stories
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Mississippi University for Women will come together for “Cultural Intersections,” a two-day event scheduled for Oct. 3-4, designed to highlight and explore experiences of first-generation students.
“Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration of the rich cultural legacy that shapes our communities, and an invitation to engage deeply with the narratives that define us. Reading ‘First Gen’ by Alejandra Campoverdi is more than an exploration of one woman’s journey; it’s an intercultural exercise that challenges us to see our own stories in the experiences of others. True multiculturalism is about recognizing our shared humanity through the diversity of voices around us,” said Dr. Reyna Vergara, assistant professor of Spanish.
The two-day event, organized collaboratively by faculty, staff and students, will focus on first-generation experiences and the unique challenges and triumphs that come with breaking new ground in families and communities.
On Thursday, Oct. 3, the event will feature a panel discussion titled, “Diverse Voices: First Gen Stories,” where first-generation faculty, staff, students and alumni from The W and MSMS will share their experiences. Held in the Nissan Auditorium in Parkinson Hall at 6 p.m., the discussion will cover topics such as navigating academic and social challenges, the role of family and community and personal and professional growth. The panel will be complemented by student-created art and interactive media, including audio and video recordings of interviews with first-generation participants to enrich the dialogue. This part of the event is organized in conjunction with Dr. Clear Moore, director of the Student Success Center, and Rachael Damms, collections librarian representing The W’s Community Read.
Friday, Oct. 4 will focus on a student-centered discussion and Q&A session titled “Breaking Barriers: Firsts, Onlys, and New Beginnings.” Held in the Gail P. Gunter Multipurpose Room at Fant Memorial Library at 9:30 a.m., the student-centered discussion will be led by Dr. Cecy Brooks, Certified Family Life Educator and assistant professor in the Department of Family Science, and Matthew Miles, dean of students, who will provide students with resources and a meet-and-greet environment. The conversation will build on the themes from the previous day’s panel, encouraging participants to engage in open dialogue, giving them access to campus resources and sharing refreshments.
Vergara said, “We plan for these discussions to address topics related to access, belonging and community, drawing in stories from first generation college students; immigrants; those navigating physical ability barriers; women pioneering new paths; LGBTQ+ individuals; artists and writers following their passions; single parents returning to school; or students who are the first in their families to leave their communities to travel or live for an extended period of time.”
For the 2024-2025 Common Read Initiative, The W’s Community Read Committee selected “First Gen: A Memoir” by Alejandra Campoverdi. The novel is described as, “part memoir, part manifesto. `First Gen’ is a story of generational inheritance, aspiration and the true meaning of belonging—a gripping journey to ‘reclaim the parts of ourselves we sacrificed in order to survive.’”