WYOMISSING, Pa. — According to the 2020 census, the Hispanic and Latino population of the City of Reading is nearly 69%, up from 58% in 2010. To meet the needs of this growing population, Penn State Berks is expanding its efforts to engage with and support the local Hispanic and Latino communities with several new initiatives.

Chancellor Radha Pyati, who joined Penn State Berks in July 2023, is deeply committed to forging strong and meaningful relationships with the Hispanic and Latino communities. Pyati said she understands the need for the college to continue to evolve to meet the needs of the local community.

One of Pyati’s main priorities is ensuring that Penn State Berks is accessible and well-equipped to serve the needs of the Hispanic and Latino communities. She said she wants prospective students and their families to know that the college is committed to having a welcoming, diverse college community.

“Penn State Berks is located about five miles from the City of Reading, whose Hispanic and Latino population is growing and thriving, and we want to be a part of their story," Pyati explained. "We want prospective students and families to know that Penn State is possible. We have Spanish-speaking faculty and staff who are here to help students with the admissions process, financial aid, and any other challenges they may face, and they are here to cheer them on and support their growth and success as well. At Penn State Berks, students will receive a warm welcome and will find a home away from home and a supportive environment to succeed.”

Angel Figueroa, senior vice president and executive director of the education division, I-LEAD Charter School, stated, “Under Dr. Pyati’s leadership, Penn State Berks is off to a very productive and promising experience for Latino students. I congratulate all who are truly making this happen.”

Latino Advisory Council helps college understand community perspective

To gain a better understanding of the needs of the community, Penn State Berks went right to the source and spoke to community leaders. These conversations resulted in the formation of the college’s first Latino Advisory Council in 2022. The council is composed of community leaders from a variety of sectors including education, government and nonprofit organizations.

Current members on the Latino Advisory Council include:

• Enrique Castro Jr., executive director, Berks LGBTQ+ Business Alliance and Reading Pride Celebration
• Jose Delgado-Rivera, chief communication officer, Animal Rescue League of Berks County
• Winston Dilone, manager and coach, Latin Fusion Baseball
• Angel Figueroa, senior vice president and executive director of the education division, I-LEAD Charter School
• Edna Garcia-Dipini, CEO of the FoxGlove Group, founder of RIZE and Not One More
• Maritza Loaiza, city core manager, City of Reading
• Marianela Mancebo, team leader, Berks County PA Migrant Education Program
• Wendy Melquiades, executive assistant, Centro Hispano Daniel Torres
• Rick Olmos, commissioner, PA Governor’s Advisory Council on Latino Affairs
• Juliet Simplicio, supervisor of health equity, community wellness department, Tower Health
• Selina Abreu Tineo, academic counselor, TRIO Upward Bound Programs
• Nicol Varona Cancelmo, co-founder of OCOA and Penn State Berks alumna

In addition, Cory Varona-Corniel, co-founder of OCOA and Penn State Berks alumna, has served on the Latino Advisory Council and is now a member of the Penn State Berks Advisory Board, along with Rick Olmos, who serves on both the council and board.

"With the growth of Latino demographic throughout the state and the 222 Corridor, Berks County sits at the heart of that growth. I am proud to be part of helping Penn State Berks find innovative ways to be part of the Latino community today and in the future,” stated Olmos.

According to Pyati, as a result of regular Latino Advisory Council meetings and ongoing dialogue, Penn State Berks has a deeper understanding of the issues that Hispanic and Latino families face. The college has also become more engaged in the local community and expanded its participation to include additional involvement with such organizations as Centro Hispano Daniel Torres, the Berks Latino Chamber of Commerce, the United Way of Berks County, Reading Pride and many others.

For Marianela Mancebo, team leader of the Berks PA Migrant Education Program, being a member of the Latino Advisory Board is vitally important.

"I'm beyond honored to be part of the Penn State Berks Latino Advisory Board," Mancebo said. "This reflects Penn State Berks' strong commitment to amplifying the voices of our Latino community and understanding the challenges and concerns we face, especially in the realm of higher education. I see the board as an important avenue for making the process of accessing higher education, particularly at institutions like Penn State Berks, more seamless for Latino students. I'm especially grateful that the Migrant Education Program has a seat at the table, allowing us to share our perspective and contribute to shaping a more inclusive community within higher education."

Garcia-Dipini added, “As a member of the Penn State Berks Latino Advisory Council, I am continually inspired by our collective commitment to enriching our community. Penn State Berks is dedicated to fostering sustainable change and empowering individuals. The council exemplifies how strategic partnerships can drive significant progress and cultivate a vibrant, inclusive community."

Spanish-speaking faculty and staff help ease transition for students

Along with Penn State Berks’ commitment to serving the Spanish-speaking community comes a pledge to develop more effective communication. Several faculty and staff members are bilingual, which helps ease the transition for Spanish-speaking families who have questions and concerns about sending their children to college, and helps students to have a sense of belonging.

Every year, a growing number of prospective students and their families work with Nicole Tavarez, assistant director of admissions. Tavarez is bilingual so she is well equipped to address questions and concerns from those whose first language is not English.

In fact, this year alone, 20% of the incoming first-year class at Penn State Berks is Hispanic / Latino. This growing population currently makes up 14% of the college’s overall enrollment, which is growing every year.

"As a first-generation Latina myself, I understand the challenges that come with navigating the college application process,” explained Taverez. “I’m proud to help families and students feel more comfortable by providing information in their preferred language and fostering a sense of belonging. It’s not just about guiding them through logistics, but also showing them that they are valued and welcomed here."

After assisting students and families through the admissions process, Taverez continues to mentor students in her role as the staff adviser to the Latinos United for Change student organization. This gives students a sense of continuity and a person they can go to for help navigating challenges and celebrating successes.

Hispanic and Latino students are often the first to support incoming students and to serve as mentors.

Amy Najarro, a senior majoring in science, commented, “"At Penn State Berks, I had many opportunities to help students from different cultural backgrounds feel welcomed, including serving as an intercultural mentor during my sophomore year, where I supported new and transfer international students in adjusting to the U.S. education system and culture." 

Penn State Berks has forged additional efforts to better communicate with the Spanish-speaking community. The college added a Spanish-language option to its phone menu for those who have questions and prefer to speak with a faculty or staff member in Spanish.

This summer, members of the college’s Administrative Council, the senior leadership group, enrolled in a Spanish for the Workplace certificate program through the Office of Continuing Education. The goal was for college leaders to become more fluent in Spanish so they could communicate more effectively with Spanish-speaking students and families. The certificate program is open to all members of the community, who can learn more on the Continuing Education website.

Spanish academic programs and activities

There are many opportunities for Penn State Berks students who are interested learning more about the Spanish language and culture. Berks is one of the few Penn State campuses that offers a minor in Spanish, and the only campus that offers a certificate in Spanish for Healthcare.

Students from any Penn State major or program may sign up for the certificate in Spanish for Healthcare, which is composed of four courses. The program allows students to enhance their Spanish-language skills to use in healthcare and human services fields.

“Our Spanish programs at Penn State Berks are designed by native speakers and expert professors to offer a wide range of language, culture and applied experiential learning. We combine engaging instruction in a variety of teaching modalities to integrate knowledge with practical uses for several professions and for all fluency levels,” stated Belén Rodríguez Mourelo, professor of Spanish and division head of humanities, arts and social sciences. “We also use cutting-edge technology and research to provide personalized advising and a rich learning experience.”

Najarro is one example of a student who took advantage of study abroad opportunities. Last summer she completed a medical internship in Spain, which not only provided her with hands-on experience in healthcare but also broadened her understanding of how different cultures approach medicine.

Another example is Aidee Santos Acosta, Class of 2023, who participated in an international medical internship in Buenos Aires, Argentina, through Penn State Global’s Perreault Fellows Program, which prepares students for global leadership through participation in intercultural learning opportunities.

Outside the classroom, the Latinos United for Change (LUC) student organization is on a mission to help educate about and enhance understanding of the Hispanic / Latino culture. It does this by engaging the campus community in various programs, discussions, educational workshops, activities and community service initiatives. The main goal of the LUC is to unite students to change for the better.  

"As an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution, we want to make sure that we are serving our Latino students, inside and outside of the classroom, recognizing the diversity of cultural backgrounds that represent the Hispanic and Latino community, with the intention of establishing a community that is more than a Hispanic-enrolling institution," stated Todd Migliaccio, vice chancellor and chief academic officer.

In addition, the members of the college community can get a taste of Hispanic / Latino culture without leaving campus through the college’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, which includes a variety of vibrant events, educational presentations and cultural showcases.

Penn State Berks also actively participates in a wide range of community engagement opportunities involving various organizations through its Office of Community Engagement.

For example, this spring, Penn State Berks accounting students visited the Centro Hispano Daniel Torres center to help community members with filing their taxes through a program funded by the United Way of Berks.

"Collaboration between campus and community is always a win-win situation,” said Donna Chambers, interim director of the Office of Community Engagement and teaching professor of Spanish. “When each group inhabits the space of the other, a sense of empathy, understanding and open-mindedness blossoms. When barriers are broken and bridges are built, campus and community form enduring relationships of respect, inclusion and belonging toward one another."  

Working with Centro Hispano Daniel Torres

Penn State Berks partners with many organizations, including Centro Hispano Daniel Torres, for a variety of programs. For example, last spring, the Penn State Berks community — faculty, staff and students — joined Centro Hispano staff for their monthly family night, where the college hosted activities for attendees of all ages and shared information about higher education.

The event was organized by Tavarez. She was joined by several faculty and staff members, as well as students from the Latinos United for Change student organization who volunteered during the event. In partnership with the PA Migrant Education Program, Mancebo joined the Penn State Berks group for the parent-to-parent networking table, where she facilitated discussion among parents and families to share experiences and listen to concerns about preparing their children for college.

"Our partnership with Penn State Berks is a shining example of how collaboration can create meaningful opportunities to lift up our community. The 'Knights at the Movie Family Night,' was a wonderful celebration of culture, family and community,” said Michael Toledo, president and CEO of the Centro Hispano Daniel Torres Inc.

Berks LaunchBox hosts Spanish-language programs 

The Berks LaunchBox, an innovation hub of Penn State Berks located within the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts in downtown Reading, is actively serving the Hispanic / Latino population. With the recent hire of Frael Reinoso, a bilingual program coordinator, the Berks LaunchBox offers Spanish-language programs including quarterly LaunchTalk networking events with an educational speaker and monthly entrepreneurship education events.

This year, as part of the college’s Hispanic Heritage Month program, the Berks LaunchBox hosted a Spanish-language event titled "Enhance Your Customer Service with Rosa Julia Parra." Parra is the founder of Palo Magazine, a bilingual educational and lifestyle publication for the Berks County community. She discussed the profound impact that customer service has on business success and delved into practical strategies tailored to attendees’ experiences. She also explored the subtle differences in customer service skills required in our increasingly bilingual world, acknowledging cultural sensitivities and diverse communication styles.

“The Berks LaunchBox was proud to partner with Centro Hispano to offer this event to our community. We had 35 entrepreneurs and small business owners in attendance who were eager to learn from Parra in their native language,” commented Erica Kunkel, director of continuing education and the Berks LaunchBox. “The LaunchBox is committed to offering resources, classes and mentoring to our entrepreneurs in Spanish. We are continually hearing the need and appreciation for this support, and we are happy to provide support to our amazing entrepreneurs on their journey.”

Toledo added his perspective as president of Centro Hispano, “Our Hispanic Heritage Month LaunchBox event further strengthens our shared commitment to empowering our community through education, entrepreneurship and engagement.”

A second event to be held during Hispanic Heritage Month is the upcoming Design Social Media Graphics with Canva workshop for entrepreneurs and small business owners on Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Berks LaunchBox. Attendees will learn to create eye-catching social media posts, impactful ads, and more using Canva, a free and easy-to-use graphic design tool. This event is free but participants must register in advance.

Upcoming Spanish-language events hosted by the Berks LaunchBox also include:

• Marketing with Artificial Intelligence – Nov. 12, 6–8 p.m. 
• Google my Business – Dec. 10, 6–7:30 p.m.

For more information on Berks LaunchBox events, contact Kunkel at ELS5014@psu.edu.

Erika Valdez has worked with the Berks LaunchBox on the founding of Erival LLC, an organic soap company. She commented, “I want to express our sincere thanks for all the support Berks LaunchBox has given us. Their dedication and commitment to our company has been instrumental in our growth and success. I am very grateful for the advice and training in our Spanish language; they are doing an excellent job for our community.​ We deeply value the relationship we have built with Berks LaunchBox and look forward to continuing to collaborate in the future.”

While the main mission of the Berks LaunchBox is connecting local early-stage entrepreneurs to the support, resources and facilities that they need to build sustainable and scalable businesses, it also offers special youth programs.  

During one such youth program held this summer, Berks LaunchBox hosted students from the PA Migrant Education Program for a two-day program. The students worked together to complete a 3-D printing and laser cutting project, giving them a taste of these state-of-the-art technologies.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Penn State Berks is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a variety of vibrant events, educational presentations and cultural showcases. These events include dynamic speakers, Latin cuisine, music, dancing and much more. All upcoming events are free and open to the public and held at Penn State Berks.

Eunice Levis Film Showcase

Thursday, Sept. 26, 5 p.m., Perkins Student Center Multipurpose Room

Dominican-American filmmaker Eunice Levis will present a showcase of her short films, which focus on genre-bending stories that combine her love of horror, sci-fi and fantasy, often through a diasporic lens. The showcase will be followed by a discussion of her work. Light refreshments will be served.

Fiesta Latina

Wednesday, Oct. 2, 5 p.m., Perkins Student Center Multipurpose Room

La Fiesta Latina is an annual event celebrating Latin heritage. With the theme of "one language; many cultures," this event features live presentations, dancing, and a taste of Latin cuisine.

Latino Forum

Friday, Oct. 11, 9:30 a.m.–noon, Perkins Student Center Auditorium

The 12th annual Latino Forum welcomes regional high school students and the Berks County community for an event that celebrates Latino heritage. This year's keynote speaker is Javier Ávila, a professor of English, a poet, novelist and public speaker. Ávila takes his classroom to the masses, using the power of storytelling to deliver a powerful message about unity and inclusion, and transporting the audience on a journey as he moves between cultures. High school students will enjoy pizza following the talk and La Mega Radio Station will be on campus with a live broadcast.

For additional information on any of these events, contact Donna Chambers at DMC6004@psu.edu.

Pyati summarized the college’s commitment to supporting the Hispanic and Latino communities, “We’re honored to work with the Hispanic and Latino communities of our region to celebrate who we are and bring about greater opportunities for all.”