Born and raised in the border town of Nogales, Arizona, Yvette Lerma Jones is the inaugural director of diversity, equity and inclusion for the University of Maryland’s Division of Student Affairs and a doctoral candidate in the College of Education’s student affairs concentration. Her dissertation is focused on the experiences of student affairs educators at large public research universities who directly engage with student activists with whom they share marginalized identities.
For Latinx Heritage Month, Lerma Jones shares the importance of the month-long commemoration and ways to honor and pay tribute to the rich cultures and contributions of Latinx communities.
What does Latinx Heritage Month mean to you?
While it is not the only time I celebrate my Mexican heritage, it is a time when I know pride in our Latinx communities’ presence and accomplishments will be visible to our campus community.
How will you celebrate Latinx Heritage Month?
This year, I will celebrate Latinx Heritage Month by sharing culturally relevant books and movies with my 2-year-old daughter. Later in the month, we will attend some family-friendly heritage month events in the local area.
What initiatives or projects are you working on that will contribute to the well-being of the Latinx community?
I am excited to be the project lead for the UMD Cultural Centers Project, which includes a Latinx Cultural Center. Students, staff and faculty on our campus have advocated for the creation of these spaces for decades, and I am honored to help bring this vision to fruition.
What are some ways people can celebrate Latinx Heritage Month?
I recommend attending Latinx Heritage Month events. On campus, there are several events planned throughout the month. The LHM 2023 theme at Maryland is Creciendo Con Amor, Spanish for "Growing with Love," a celebration of the growth and love of the Latinx community.
What part of your Latinx heritage are you most proud of?
I am proudest of what my Mexican upbringing instilled in me: being family-oriented and that our strength lies in being in community. As a lesbian Chicana, this meant valuing chosen family and centering communities that have been historically excluded.