Hispanic Heritage is Our Heritage
Hispanic Heritage Month is a time for Valparaiso University to recognize that the rich heritage of our Hispanic students, faculty, and staff is a vital part of our shared identity. The stories, traditions, and contributions of these Beacons illuminate our campus with diverse, vibrant light, guiding us toward greater understanding and unity. As we honor their cultural journeys, we acknowledge and appreciate that their experiences and triumphs are also part of Valpo’s collective story.
In this special feature, members of Valpo’s Hispanic community share how their heritage has shaped them and how they shine their light on campus and beyond.
Diego Piedra, DMA 
Jacqueline Contreras 
Carlos Miguel-Pueyo, Ph.D. 
Nelly Zamora-Breckenridge, Ph.D. 
Alberto López Martín, Ph.D. 
Gaulo Amezcua-Luna
How has your cultural heritage shaped your identity and journey here at Valpo?
“I knew coming to Valpo would be a change of scenery, but I never knew how much I would grow as a Hispanic at Valpo. I am a Spanish minor and I can honestly say that taking upper-level Spanish has taught me not only to better my Spanish reading and writing but taking these courses has also helped me learn more about my Hispanic heritage. Taking different courses and joining [the student organization] Spanish in Healthcare has helped me grow in my journey of wanting to help people in the healthcare field by speaking two languages.”
“It has made me value the many great opportunities I had as a student, and now I get to pay forward in helping my students become better musicians and human beings.”
“As a Colombian and American, my life has been a journey of learning and intercultural understanding since I arrived in the United States more than three decades ago. Sharing my Latin American culture daily with students in my classes gave me the opportunity to show them the importance of valuing diversity in our global world.”
Can you share a story about a particular moment when your heritage made you feel especially proud?
“Fortunately for me, this is not a one-time moment, but many. One of the great privileges of my job is that I can share daily with my students poems, stories, music, or art from my culture and other Hispanic cultures. I am not sure if it is exactly pride, but seeing that these texts are relevant to them and that they move or interest them fills me with immense gratitude; moreover, I rediscover them through their eyes. In a way, my students educate me about my cultural heritage in a most enriching exchange.”
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you personally? Why do you think it is important to celebrate it?
“Although the cultural aspect is fundamental and inseparable from any other aspect of the celebration, I focus on the political meaning that is always present, implicitly or explicitly, during Hispanic Heritage Month: Hispanic culture is not foreign to this country, and one cannot understand this country, either socially or economically, without the fundamental contributions of its Hispanic communities. Viewed this way, as an integral and living part of American culture and not as nostalgia for lost roots, tradition ceases to be a memory of the past and becomes a tool for creating the future.”
“Hispanic Heritage Month means that millions of people living in different parts of the world can come together in spirit to celebrate the common history, language, costumes, and religious beliefs — in essence, a view of the world that unifies us. Having a common heritage in all Spanish-speaking countries is a treasure that must be celebrated, as it is rare to see such a big community spread throughout the world.”
What challenges have you faced as a Hispanic student, staff, or faculty member, and how did you overcome them?
“The challenges are always many, but one great asset Valpo offers is the ability we all have to communicate and collaborate with great colleagues. I always rely on the expertise, knowledge, and experience of my colleagues. They are always willing to help or share the knowledge to achieve our common goal — excellence in education.”
“I would say that the main challenges when you arrive in a new country are cultural. In my situation, when I arrived in the United States, I faced cultural and linguistic challenges. It took time for me to understand and adapt to a new culture. For many people, these challenges represent communication problems at the beginning that can cause inconvenience and misunderstanding. Also, the lack of knowledge on the part of other people about our culture causes some distance and fear. I think education is vital to overcome all these challenges. People with higher levels of education can adapt more easily and overcome these obstacles gradually than people who arrive in this country with no education.”
How has your experience at Valpo empowered you as a member of the Hispanic community?
“Valpo has deep roots in the Valparaiso and [Northwest Indiana] area, and it’s known as a prestigious higher education institution. Representing the Hispanic community as an IT professional is an example for young people in the Hispanic community that there are jobs in technical professions that need the talent of Hispanic employees.”
“I feel supported professionally by my colleagues. This is very meaningful to me. Jeffrey Doebler ’87, Ph.D., has been like an angel to me, guiding me and helping me feel at home in my job.”
“As a faculty member, I am aware of my privilege. But as a human being, I can relate easily to those who are not privileged, those who don’t have the tools that this society offers, such as education, opportunities, and support, because opportunities are not accessible to all, especially those who look different. In the classroom, I can exercise my privilege to offer a just place for all my students, where I can offer all of them the opportunity to become who they want to be.”
How do you see the Hispanic community contributing to Valpo’s diverse campus life?
“Year after year, I am continually amazed by the involvement and generosity of Hispanic students in their contributions to various organizations on our campus and to our University life in general. It is impossible to mention just one type of contribution. I cannot imagine Valpo without the maturity, determination, and joy of our Hispanic community.”
“The Hispanic community is known for always being attentive, kind, friendly, and hard-working. These are character traits that can encourage and motivate all.”
What advice would you give to prospective Hispanic students who are considering Valpo?
“I would tell them that everything takes time and that it might seem hard at first to make friends or fit in, but it will happen. I would also tell them that the Office of Multicultural Programs (OMP) has a variety of diverse groups that they can join, one being a Latino club that they can go to and make new friends who also have a Hispanic background.”
“We need more of you! We need more leaders on campus that come from values of Latinx culture.”
“This is a wonderful place to be where you will receive the attention and support that you deserve.”
“We will take care of you because we understand you and your family. We have been there, we respect you, and we will celebrate exactly who you are. Don’t be afraid, this is the campus you are waiting for. Faculty will cherish you in the classroom and they will meet you academically exactly where you are to walk with you in the long process of learning, not only academically but also as the human being you ARE.”
In what ways do you think Valpo can continue to support and uplift Hispanic students, faculty, staff, and community members?
“I think Valpo can continue to support and uplift Hispanic students, faculty, staff, and community members by continuing to offer more events not only during HHM but throughout the school year. I think they can continue to also offer more programs, materials, and events in Spanish which is the primary language of many Hispanics.”
“Once we understand the core values of the Hispanic community, then we can see that there are not many differences from the rest. As humans, we are wired in a very similar way, around love, security, and well-being for us and our loved ones. In the classroom, we continue to explore new ways to support our Hispanic (and all) students, so that they are equipped to be great professionals and great human beings. On campus, we will continue to celebrate who we are. We are here on this earth to do good and to love one another because love is what prevails. Always.”
How has your faith intersected with your cultural heritage, and how has it influenced your time at Valpo?
“A lot of the things I believe and celebrate pertain to both my religion and cultural heritage. When I started at Valpo, one of the things that I admired most was their religious background, and at times when I felt my lowest I found myself at the Chapel. I only know how to pray in Spanish and grew up listening to the services in Spanish so it was different being at Valpo where they were held in English, but luckily now they hold a Spanish morning prayer once a week which makes me feel more at home and comfortable.”
“I grew up Catholic, and finding time for prayer and meditation is very important for me. Nothing is more magnificent than attending service at the Chapel of the Resurrection.”
“I am a devout Catholic, and I love it. God is the most important part of my life, and therefore, He is the lens through which I strive to see all around me. My days are in His hands, and though I have SO many imperfections, I try to do my best to keep that lens alive. Spirituality is extremely important in my heritage and I am thankful for that because I am able now to live a purposeful life. How? Doing all I have to do every day as well as I can. In the classroom I am not just the professor who has to communicate some content and make sure all students do well; it is not just that. For me, it is about sharing my heart and my knowledge with all my students so that the classroom becomes a refuge for all, but especially for those who navigate this world, specifically our campus, with some difficulty.”
What does the theme of “leadership and service” mean to you, particularly in the context of Hispanic culture?
“It means leading by example. Being good to others, helping those in need, and doing the best possible for all.”
Thank you to every Beacon who shared your story with us. Through your voices, we celebrate resilience, pride, and the strength that diversity brings to our University. By uplifting your stories, we honor the essential role Hispanic heritage plays in enriching the Valpo experience, reminding us of the beauty in our collective journey toward inclusion and growth.
To learn more about Hispanic heritage and get connected to this thriving community on campus, visit:
Office of Multicultural Programs
LatinX in Valparaiso for Excellence (LIVE)
