WYOMISSING, Pa. — As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, Penn State Berks will hold its tenth annual Latino Forum from 9:30­ to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 14. This special event is free and open to students from all Berks County high schools, as well as members of the local Hispanic and Latino community.

It will be held live in the college’s Perkins Student Center Auditorium, and there will also be a virtual option. Advanced registration is required. A zoom link will be sent via emails to those who are attending virtually.

This year’s event will feature keynote speaker Javier Ávila, who will present a one-man show titled "The Perfect Latino." Ávila offers a close examination of the American-Latino experience, taking the audience on a journey as he moves between cultures, navigating a world of misunderstandings and misconceptions. Ávila provides a fascinating perspective on what it means to balance assimilation with cultural preservation. The keynote will be followed by tours of the campus.

The mission of the Latino Forum is to empower Latino students to pursue higher education. The forum provides inspiration and motivation for students as they learn that higher education is both desirable and attainable. 

This event is supported by the Penn State Humanities Institute, the Berks Campus Arts and Cultural Fund, and the Arts and Lectures Series.

For additional information, contact Donna Chambers, assistant teaching professor of Spanish, at 610-396-6332 or via email at DMC6004@psu.edu.