¡Hola a Todos!

October 16, 2025

¡Hola a Todos! We are the Hispanic Organization and Latinx Awareness on campus, and our mission is to promote and educate about Hispanic and Latinx communities and cultures here at Xavier. Anyone is welcome, regardless of their proficiency as Spanish speakers, or whether they identify as Hispanic/Latinx.

We host several events throughout the year promoting Hispanic culture on campus, the largest being our gala during Hispanic Heritage Month. This year’s gala theme was Corazón y Cultura (Heart and Culture) on September 19. Our event hosted not just students but also multiple faculty and staff departments for a night of food, dance, and community. This year we catered for arepas from The Arepa Place, and churros and pan dulce from Trigal panderia. We enjoyed music and dance and the DJ stylings of former Xavier student DJ Azziz. But most importantly, all proceeds from the events go towards the scholarships we award to Hispanic/Latinx students in the Spring semester. This year’s gala was a success, and we surpassed our goal of $2,000!  

There will be two scholarships awarded—one for academics, and one for service—to two Hispanic or Latinx identifying students here on Xavier’s campus. Applications open in January 2026, and the recipients will be awarded their scholarship at our Carne Asada in the spring. If you or anyone you know would like to donate to the H.O.L.A. scholarship fund, here is our donation link; all donations are appreciated. 

H.O.L.A. also annually sponsors students to attend the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI) conference in Chicago. This opportunity helps Hispanic/Latinx students grow their network and promote themselves to companies and individuals who might be beneficial to their professional development. There are influential Latinx leaders who give speeches and lead workshops to guide Latinx students in their journeys toward success.  

Coming from Houston, Texas, I found that travelling all the way to Cincinnati for college to be intimidating. I worried if people were going to accept me or if I would find my place here, and if the Midwest was really that culturally different than the South. From my very first interaction, H.O.L.A. has felt like home. It is a vibrant community of Hispanics and Latinos from all around the world. 

Though my Spanish isn’t great, H.O.L.A. presented me with a safe space to practice, to mess up, and to learn with native speakers and other “no sabo” kids like myself. 

H.O.L.A. gave my freshman self a home 1,000 miles away from the place I grew up in and helped me find my place on campus. Being a part of this organization helps me feel connected not only to my peers and to Xavier, but to my heritage. I will forever be grateful to those who welcomed me with open arms and showed me that I belong here, at Xavier, and with H.O.L.A. 

Jasmine Washington
Sophomore, Biomedical Sciences major and member of CAS Student Advisory Board