TRI-CITIES, Wash. – Hispanic Heritage Month might be over for the year, but Columbia Basin College does not plan to stop celebrating the culture that makes up half of its student body now that a new cultural center has been utilized since the beginning of the school year.
The cultural center is named La CASA, which stands for Cultural Appreciation Student Appreciation.
With the majority of CBC’s student body being Hispanic, the college was able to receive a Title V grant to help close equity gaps between Hispanic and non-Hispanic students, said La CASA director Jennifer Castro-Velazquez. The grant helped fund the new space.
Castro-Velazquez said the center is open to all students and acknowledges everybody’s needs. Students are utilizing the space for educational purposes, but are also using it to build connections and friendships with other students.
“It’s very meaningful for me to see that this space exists, especially at a community college or a two year college level, because usually we see this at four year institutions,” she said. “It’s really nice to see that we are able to really highlight and represent our different cultures here at CBC.”
Program assistant Michael Jarmillo said the center gives student artists a place to show off their work as well. Most of the work at La CASA comes from students in the CBC Art Department, but it also showcases pieces from Hispanic community members.
CBC President Rebekah Woods said La CASA is one of many resources for Hispanic students on campus, including a full time translator and other events that open the opportunity for people to celebrate and support student’s successes.
