Latiné Heritage Month is a celebration and recognition of the many achievements and contributions of the Latiné community. The term “Latiné” is a gender-inclusive alternative to Latina and Latino that includes nonbinary and gender-nonconforming folks in the community.
Language of Identity is Personal: Latiné or Hispanic?
Although the month is recognized nationally as “Hispanic Heritage Month,” we choose to highlight and focus on Latiné communities from Mexico, Central and South America, as well as some Caribbean countries. While “Hispanic” is a positive self-identity for some, others see it more as a term applied to them, not one they chose for themselves.
The term “Hispanic” was popularized during the Nixon administration in an effort to unify Spanish-speaking populations, but it does not account for how this framing centers the language of the colonizer (Spain) and overlooks the colonization of the Americas. It also excludes Latin American countries like Brazil, where Portuguese is the official language, and erases the hundreds of Indigenous groups throughout Latin America who have preserved their native languages.
Similarly, “Latiné” is not the chosen term for everyone. Language and identity are deeply personal, and different people may prefer Hispanic, Latiné, Latino/a, Chicano/a, or other terms. What words do you use to describe your identity?
Featured IVC Event
Latiné Heritage Month Celebration
Wednesday, September 16 | 11 am - 1 pm | SSC Quad
Join us in celebration of Latiné Heritage Month! Come learn some Latin dances, explore the local Latiné vendor market, and eat some delicious food. We can't wait to see you there!
Pancito and Paint Mixer
Wednesday, September 23 | 3:30 - 5 pm | N2.104 (A 311)
Unwind, create, and connect at our Pancito and Paint Mixer! Enjoy pan dulce, painting, and good company as we celebrate Latiné Heritage Month.
Fiesta Latina en Irvine
Sunday, September 13 | 11 am - 4 pm | Great Park, Irvine | Free for all ages | More Info »
Fiesta Latina en Irvine observes Hispanic Heritage Month, inviting the community to learn about the histories, cultures, traditions, and contributions of Hispanic Americans through music, food, language, literature, and art.
Concha Fest
Saturday, October 10 | 2 - 6 pm | Heritage Museum of Orange County, Santa Ana | RSVP »
A celebration of pan dulce, cultura, and community. Spend an afternoon exploring one of Southern California's sweetest cultural festivals at the beautiful Heritage Museum of Orange County.
IVC Puente Program
The Puente Program is an academic, counseling, and mentoring program that has improved college persistence and success rates for thousands of California’s educationally under-served students. The Puente mission is to increase the number of community college students who transfer and enroll in four-year colleges and universities. More Info »
Latinx Club
Empowering Latinx students through intercultural awareness. More Info »
MESA Program
The Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Program offers a dedicated study center where students can engage in Academic Excellence Workshops, receive tutoring in essential STEM courses, meet with the MESA Counselor, and receive guidance and support to enhance their personal, academic, and professional development. The MESA Center is more than a study space; it is a dedicated, collaborative community for student success. More Info »
Dream Scholars
The Dream Scholars Program is committed to bringing support, awareness, inspiration, safe and welcoming spaces for all undocumented IVC students and their families. We inform and connect students to reliable resources, providing academic, personal, career counseling, financial assistance, and more. More Info »
IVC FELLAS (Fellowship Exchange of Lessons Learned & Academic Support)
IVC FELLAS is a DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) driven driven male initiative focused on student success and community engagement for the college’s self-identified men of color students, staff, and faculty. This brotherhood was created to encourage college completion and transfer and to establish a sense of belonging. All are welcome. More Info »
Women of Color Collective (WoCC)
The WoCC is a group dedicated to building community and empowering self-identified womxn of color students, staff, and faculty. Womxn is used in place of “women” to be inclusive of all gender experiences surrounding femininity. Non-female-identifying students such as non-binary and gender-expansive folks are explicitly invited and welcomed. More Info »
COLEGAS 2026: ESENTE! Giving Voice to Our Collective Power
Wednesday - Friday, November 4 - 6 | Times Vary | Hyatt Regency, Los Angeles | More Info »
This year's conference theme, "¡PRESENTE! Giving Voice to Our Collective Power," affirms the continued presence, leadership, and impact of our comunidad across higher education. Rooted in the understanding that our lived experiences, cultural knowledge, and collective efforts are essential to institutional transformation, this year's conference centers the ways we build and sustain power while expanding possibilities for our students, our communities, and ourselves. Together, we continue to lead, advocate, and create pathways that foster equity, access, and success.