Slippery Rock University will host events for students in observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month, with a kickoff celebration planned from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17.

The Hispanic and Latino Cultures Meet and Greet will take place in Room 243 of the Smith Student Center, followed by the Hispanic Heritage Month Fiesta from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on the quad. The fiesta will feature music, food, crafts and a photo booth.

National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated each year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 since it was signed into law on Aug. 17, 1988, by former President Ronald Reagan.

The events, organized by SRU's Office for Inclusive Excellence, the Office for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging and the Student Organization of Latinos/Hispanics, known as SOL, are below:

– SOL Meet & Greet, 4-5:30 p.m. Sept. 17 in the Smith Student Center, Room 234. SRU students and guests can make piñatas, enjoy traditional cuisines, meet faculty and students, and ask questions about Hispanic and Latino cultures.

– Hispanic Heritage Month Fiesta, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Sept. 21 on the Quad. The organizing groups will host this event featuring Pittsburgh-based band Gabas. The event will have face painting, salsa lessons, a photo booth, and Hispanic and Latino cuisine.

– Café y Pan, noon Oct. 1 at the SGA Pavilion on the Quad. A coffee house featuring imported coffee beans from across South America, this event will be a mixer for students to get to know each other.

– Afro-Latino Scavenger Hunt via Instagram, Oct. 3 on the Black Action Society's Instagram, @bassru. Participate in the Afro-Latino Scavenger Hunt on the Black Action Society's Instagram @bassru by commenting first on posts featuring Afro-Latino facts for a chance to win prizes.

– Multicultural Panel, 2-3:15 p.m. Oct. 15 in the Eisenberg Classroom Building, Room 111. Attendees can explore and ask questions about a range of multicultural topics and perspectives.

– Bachata and Bites, 12:30-2 p.m. Oct. 17, location to be determined. More details will become available on CORE, SRU's online platform for student organizations.

– Cooking with SOL, 6:30-8 p.m. Oct. 30 in the Macoskey Center, Harmony House. There will be a workshop where students can learn the art of making fresh salsa from scratch.

– Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Showcase, 7 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Smith Student Center Ballroom. To culminate the monthlong celebration, the organizing groups will be hosting a Day of the Dead Showcase. This event will include readings of traditional Hispanic stories, Hispanic and Latino cuisines, and a live dance performance.

For more information about Hispanic Heritage Month programming at SRU, contact oie@sru.edu or 724-738-2700.