Q&A with Julie Henderson on behalf of the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: Why You Shouldn't Miss the Building Bridges: Spanish Language, Culture & Creating Welcoming Spaces in an Emerging Hispanic Serving Institution

The Corbin Connect Four-Part Workshop is just around the corner, and we’re thrilled to offer this event to WSU faculty and staff. As we gear up for this impactful event, we had the opportunity to ask a few questions about the event and why you should RSVP today!

1. What excites you most about Building Bridges: Spanish Language, Culture & Creating Welcoming Spaces in an Emerging Hispanic Serving Institution?

We are excited to share our knowledge of Spanish Language and Latine culture with WSU faculty and staff. Our Hispanic student population is growing quickly, and this is a way to support incoming students and promote understanding among the WSU community.

2. What is your favorite part about connecting with students at events like this?

One highlight is seeing the participants enjoy learning about Latin America and the Spanish language is a fun, pressure-free environment. We try to create a playful atmosphere where everyone feels confident to take part, and even making mistakes is fun! But that's just the language learning part. We all learn from the presentations given by the students and faculty. Everyone has something to share, and it's a great experience for us all the be learning from each other.

3. How would you describe the goal of this event to others?

The goal is threefold: first, for WSU faculty and staff to learn more about what it means to be a Hispanic Serving Institution and how that can benefit the entire university; second, to share information about the Hispanic community in Wichita and the diversity within the community; and finally, to teach some very basic Spanish so that faculty and staff may be able to connect in very basic conversation with someone who doesn't speak Englishh, perhaps a family member of a student. Of course, we always hope that it sparks participants' interest so that they continue learning the language!

4. What’s one thing you’re looking forward to at this event?

We are looking forward to connecting with the community on many levels. Another highlight is the food: we bring in food from different Latin American countries, including Peru and Argentina, so that participants learn about the wide variety of cuisines in Latin America, which extends way beyond tacos and burritos. Everyone loved a good snack in good company! 

5. Why should someone RSVP and not miss this event?

This is a great opportunity to learn more about the Wichita Hispanic community and its impact on WSU, to connect with Hispanic students, and to learn more about our neighbors in the hemisphere. All while having a great deal of fun!

• Where: Wichita State Connect
• When: Fridays, March 28-April 18, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
• Cost: Free!
• RSVP Deadline: Please RSVP by March 20.

Click here for more details.

The event is presented by Credit Union of America, WSU College of Applied Studies, Corbin Connect, Office of Hispanic Serving Initiatives and the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures in Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.