APCDIA Upcoming Events
Latine Heritage Month September 15 - October 15, 2026
Welcome back students! Please join us for Latine Heritage Month at Northeastern Illinois University. This year’s theme is Soaring in Cultura. We use Latine to honor the diversity of identities, cultures, languages, and histories across Latin America, the Caribbean, and the diaspora. Thank you for joining us as we celebrate cultura (culture), comunidad (community), and belonging in events throughout campus. Please see below for the list of events and join the Pedroso Center group on Campus Connects for daily reminders.
Week of September 14 - HSI Week
Monday, September 14, 2026
Pasaporte Latinoamérica: LHM Kickoff Celebration
(NEIU Community)
Time: Noon - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Common Area
Description: Kick off Latine Heritage Month with music, food, cultural learning, student organization tables, and a celebration of Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Latine diaspora.
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Elevating Latino/e Voices: Civic Engagement and Voting Rights
(NEIU Community)
Time: 11:00 a.m. - Noon
Location: Alumni Hall
Description: This panel will highlight civic engagement, voting rights, advocacy, and representation through the voices of community leaders, educators, advocates, and students.
Recurring Programs
La Sala
(NEIU Students)
Dates: September 15, September 22, September 29, October 6, and October 13
Time: 4:00 - 6:00 p.m
Location: North Campus, Pedroso Center, B159
Description: La Sala is a Latine student affinity space centered on community, conversation, cultura, belonging, and student support.
Café con Música
(NEIU Community)
Dates: September 16, September 23, September 30, October 7, and October 14
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m
Location: North Campus, Pedroso Center, B159
Description: Café con Música invites students to gather for cafecito, music, conversation, and community in a welcoming space.
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
La Taquiza
(Open to the public)
Time: 3:00 - 6:00 p.m
Location: El Centro Campus
Description: La Taquiza brings students and community together at El Centro for food, connection, and celebration during Latine Heritage Month.
Thursday, September 17, 2026
ENgaging Latinx Communities for Education Graduate Panel
(Open to the public)
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Location: North Campus, Pedroso Center, B159
Description: ENLACE alumni and graduate students will share their educational journeys, leadership experiences, and advice for students considering graduate school.
Saturday, September 19, 2026
La Copa Soccer Tournament
(NEIU Community)
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: North Campus, Rec Center / Outdoor Field
Description: La Copa brings students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members together for soccer, teamwork, school spirit, and friendly competition.
Week of September 21
Monday, September 21, 2026
Alebrije Workshop
(NEIU Students)
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Location: El Centro Campus
Description: Students will learn about alebrijes and create colorful artwork inspired by Mexican folk art, imagination, and cultural storytelling.
Monday, September 21, 2026
4th Annual Pedroso Homecoming Event
(NEIU Community)
Time: 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Location: North Campus, Pedroso Center, B159
Collaboration: ALPFA
Description: This event connects alumni and their stories back to the University while promoting the importance of NEIU being a Hispanic-Serving Institution.
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Latine Faculty, Staff and Student Welcome Back Reception
(NEIU Community)
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: North Campus, Pedroso Center, B159
Collaboration: Council on the Status of Latinas/os (CSL)
Description: This welcoming reception brings Latine students, faculty, and staff together to connect, build community, and celebrate the beginning of the academic year. The gathering creates an opportunity to strengthen relationships across NEIU while promoting belonging, mentorship, and comunidad.
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Racial Solidarity Against Colonization in the Americas & the Chi
(NEIU Community)
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Location: North Campus, Pedroso Center
Description: Dr. Gabriel Cortez from the ENLACE graduate program will discuss the historical struggles for human rights by racialized groups in Latin America and Chicago, highlighting Indigenous, Black, and mixed-racial resistance to colonization and moments of Black and Latinx coalition-building in Chicago.
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Pedroso Center and Student Leadership Development (SLD) Open House
(NEIU Students)
Time: 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Location: North Campus, Pedroso Center, B159
Description: Stop by say hi and meet Pedroso Center and Student Leadership Development (SLD) staff and learn about our programs while enjoying free food, music and boardgames.
Thursday, September 24, 2026
Voces Sin Silencio
(NEIU Community)
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 p.m
Location: North Campus, Pedroso Center, B159
Description: In partnership with Know More, Health Services, Counseling Services and Student Disability Services, Voces Sin Silencio provides a space for storytelling, reflection and dialogue around identity, voice, advocacy and community.
Thursday, September 24, 2026
La Misma Luna Movie Screening
(NEIU Students)
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Location: El Centro Campus
Description: This film screening invites students to reflect on family, migration, sacrifice, resilience, and the meaning of home.
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Sonidos de Nuestra Cultura: A Mariachi Celebration
(Open to the public)
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: El Centro
Description: This live mariachi performance brings Latine Heritage Month to El Centro through music, culture, community, and celebration.
Week of September 28 / October 1
Monday, September 28, 2026
Tarde de Lotería
(NEIU Students)
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Location: North Campus, Student Union, SU214
Collaboration: ALPFA
Description: Tarde de Lotería offers a fun and welcoming space for students to connect through a traditional game, music, and community.
Thursday, October 1, 2026
Sanando en Comunidad: Latinas, Salud y Fuerza
(Open to the public)
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Location: El Centro Campus
Description: This Spanish-language program with ALAS Wings, Health Services, and the Pedroso Center will focus on breast cancer awareness, prevention, early detection, and community care.
Week of October 5
Monday, October 5, 2026
Piñata Workshop
(NEIU Students)
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Location: North Campus, Village Square
Description: Students will participate in a hands-on cultural activity that celebrates creativity, tradition, and community through piñata-making.
Monday, October 5, 2026
Career Journeys: Latine Alumni Panel
(NEIU Community)
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 p.m
Location: North Campus, Pedroso Center, B159
Collaboration: Career Development
Description: NEIU Latine alumni from different industries will share their career journeys, experiences navigating college, building professional networks, overcoming barriers, and advice for current students. The event will also include an opportunity for students to connect and network with alumni.
Thursday, October 8, 2026
Latina Equal Pay Day
(Open to the public)
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Location: North Campus, Alumni Hall
Description: This event will highlight pay equity, economic justice, workplace empowerment, and the importance of advocating for Latinas in professional spaces.
Week of October 12
Monday, October 12, 2026
Pride & Heritage
(NEIU Students)
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Location: North Campus, Pedroso Center, B159
Description: Pride & Heritage will celebrate the intersections of Latine and LGBTQIA+ identities through community, reflection, storytelling, and belonging.
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Noche de Familia
(Open to the public)
Time: 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Location: El Centro Campus
Description: Noche de Familia will close Latine Heritage Month with an evening celebration honoring students, families, alumni, faculty, staff, community, and cultura.
Join the Angelina Pedroso Center For Diversity and Intercultural Affairs On CampusGroups
Join us on the CampusGroups app for information on all of our upcoming events
- Open the CampusGroups app.
- Select NEIU Connects
- Click on QR Code scanner
- Scan this QR Code and start registering to the group!
