Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, ACC asks inspiring and accomplished faculty, staff, and students about their culture, traditions, and accomplishments.

Visit ACC’s 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month website for a list of events happening throughout the month and a message board to share your thoughts. Find additional resources, information, and events on the Cultural Mosaic for Hispanic Heritage website.

Maria Ruelas

Maria Ruelas (she/her/ella) started working at ACC in 2015 as an hourly Library Assistant at the Elgin Campus. She has worked for Library Services at the Pinnacle, Highland, Eastview, and Riverside campuses and is now located at the Northridge Campus as a full-time Faculty Librarian. 

How do you identify with the Hispanic community?
I identify as a Mexican American, born to immigrant parents that came to America in the 70s in search of a better life; they searched for opportunities with the hope of ending their poverty. As a native Spanish speaker, Spanish is the only way I am able to communicate with my mom and other close family members. My childhood consisted of visiting my parent’s small town in Jalisco, Mexico, where I spent time with my grandparents, cousins, and family friends where we indulged in fruits like guamuchiles and guamaras. 

What is your favorite way to celebrate your heritage?
My favorite way to celebrate my heritage is through food. My family gathers around plates of enchiladas rojas (embracing my sister-in-law’s Duranguense family recipe) or with a bowl of Pipián con tortillas calientes in the colder months.

We also embrace our language diversity and speak Spanglish, oftentimes resulting in full Spanish to include my mom into the conversations. Fiestas are popular in my family too; quinceañera celebrations are my favorite.

What advice would you give to our Hispanic/Latinx students?
Claim your space. Claim your voice. You ARE valued, appreciated, and seen. Your experience as a Hispanic student matters. Do not let anyone silence who you are or where you came from or what makes you YOU. One advice that I wished I received earlier on in my educational journey was “do not be afraid to ask for help and support.”

Who or what is your biggest inspiration?
My parents are my biggest inspiration. My dad with his broken English created a space for himself and his family as a small business owner embracing our Hispanic heritage by catering toward the needs of the Hispanic community. I admire the commitment they had to our Mexican roots and how they embraced the culture through their small businesses. They made room for our culture in a country that oftentimes overlooks marginalized communities. They are my inspiration. 

What is your proudest achievement? 
My proudest achievements are my children, Vincent and Wesley. I worked on graduate work while pregnant with my oldest and walked the stage receiving my master’s degree while pregnant with my youngest. They are my pride and joy. They are born to a Mexican American father who is an Austinite with deep family roots and traditions embedded in the land of Texas. I cannot wait for them to learn more about what makes them Hispanic and the intersectionalities of who they are as Latino boys in Texas. 

What books, movies, shows, artists, etc. would you recommend people check out during Hispanic Heritage Month?
I recommend checking out the film/documentary “What We Leave Behind,“directed by Iliana Sosa. This film tugged on my heartstrings and moved me to the point of tears.

Eileen Collazo

Eileen Collazo was an ACC student who graduated from Visual Communications and started working at ACC in fall 2016. Eileen found a sense of fulfillment insupporting other students, and the exceptional work of the College was something that she wanted to be a part of. She initiated her role as an hourly employee at the Arts, Digital Media & Communications Division and collaborated with Game, Animation & Motion Graphics Department. As an administrative assistant for ACC’s Marketing, Fashion Marketing, Real Estate & Finance, and Business Administration, she supports students, faculty, and staff.

How do you identify with the Hispanic community?
I identify myself as Hispanic, born and raised on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. We are commonly known as Boricuas, Borinqueños, or Puertorros. Caguas was my hometown. I proudly come from a place where the most beautiful beaches exist, where we dive into nature in our very own national rainforest El Yunque, and we go to sleep to the sounds of our Coquí frog. Our dedication, sharing our time, and connecting with our community are what define us as Hispanics.

What is your favorite way to celebrate your heritage?
I show my Hispanic pride by helping our students and their parents in our native language, Spanish, with my own distinct accent. Our traditions revolve around celebrating life, finding an excuse to gather, and sharing with family while supporting each other. We honor our heritage by preserving and passing our traditions and customs to our children. Our favorite way to celebrate our heritage is by sharing our food, our music, and our traditions. We have the longest Christmas holiday season! After New Year’s, we celebrate El Día de Reyes, Epiphany, or Three Kings Day, then Las Octavitas, which is the Christmas holidays prolonged beyond that day and until the end of January. Lots of fiestas!

What advice would you give to our Hispanic/Latinx students?
Be proud of who you are; your uniqueness is needed somewhere. Follow your own dreams; not someone else’s dream. No matter what job you are doing in life, put your heart into it, do it with pride, work hard and someone will notice someday.

Who or what is your biggest inspiration? 
My primary sources of inspiration have always been my daughters and my husband, who works tirelessly for our family. They all inspire me to do better for myself, and to pursue my goals. Seeing my daughters put their heart and soul into obtaining their college degrees was not just fulfilling, but inspirational.

What is your proudest achievement?
Working at an institution that allows me to connect and serve my Hispanic/Latino community is humbling. Sharing my time and knowledge and helping others who — like me — came to college to improve their lives and dream of a successful career, is an honor. While building a career was very important for my personal growth, supporting a family and raising productive members of society has been my most fulfilling accomplishment as a parent.

What do you want others to know or understand about your heritage?
Hispanics are resilient! We build and rebuild ourselves under any given circumstances. We have crossed horizons and earned our place in the world. We’ve produced some of the best musicians, actors, and actresses. We have been proudly represented by the best sportsmen in boxing, basketball, and baseball. We have produced five of the most beautiful, smart, and charismatic women earning the Miss Universe titles in beauty pageant history. Many recognized singers have made us proud — Tito Puente, Mark Anthony, and Ricky Martin, to mention a few. Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi’s “Despacito” belongs to us and yes, it’s ours and the entire world has sung to this song! We represent the sounds of tropical music — salsa, merengue, bachata, reggaeton. Our urban music resonates in the Super Bowl, the Grammys, and Paris Fashion Week, among other events. While folks may not know the lyrics, our music is contagious and they still sing and dance to it! I invite everyone to learn more about our land, our people, our colonization and contributions with our military and how we became part of the United States.

Moreover, I invite everyone to visit Puerto Rico, our land rich in culture and history, full of great people, beautiful mountains and foliage, sky-blue beaches, and the most delicious food!

Amber Martinez Vasquez

Amber Martinez Vasquez, MBA (she/her) started working for ACCelerators & Strategic Initiatives in June 2017. Since then, she has worked in various administrative roles within the department and is now the Central Regional Director of the ACCelerators.

How do you identify with the Hispanic community?
I am a South Texas girl, born in Corpus Christi and raised in Odem, a small town known for its surrounding cotton fields and gin co-op. I grew up spending a lot of time with my mom’s side of the family, with roots from Juarez, Mexico. Sunday mornings were spent watching The Johnny Canales Show and car rides were filled with music from the local Tejano radio stations. Growing up in a predominately Hispanic community, culture and representation was not something I focused on; it was just the way of life. It wasn’t until I moved away for college that I realized the value I hold as a Mexican American woman, and gained my developed pride and appreciation behind it.

What is your favorite way to celebrate your heritage?
My favorite way to celebrate my heritage is through any gathering or event with my family in South Texas. Whether it be our annual buñuelo making party, celebrating Christmas Eve, or a simple get together between cousins, I see my heritage as anywhere my family. Anywhere that we are surrounded by good food, laughter, Tejano music, and each other — it’s the best!

What advice would you give to our Hispanic/Latinx students?
Your culture and heritage is the most important thing about you. It is your superpower and it is beautiful. Live it and embrace it. You deserve to bring every one of your dreams, goals, and ambitions to life. Create the opportunity for yourself, work hard, take up space, and show the world what you can do.

Who or what is your biggest inspiration?
My biggest inspiration is my mom, Esmeralda. My mom began her first-generation college journey in her 30s when I was 5 years old. I remember attending classes with her on the weekends at Del Mar College and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, and spending evenings with my Dad while she was in evening classes. Throughout my childhood, I saw her go from having no college degree or career path, to a master’s degree, multiple certifications, and a successful 25-year career as a teacher, diagnostician, and principal. She was my first, real-life example of persistence and working through adversity. She showed me the value of education and how it can truly change the trajectory of your life.

What is your proudest achievement?
Personally, becoming a mother to my sweet boy, Elijah. Professionally, being able to traject my career from administrative assistant to director of my department in six years. I am honored to possess a role where I can make an impact on other Hispanic/Latinx students’ academic journey, as well as their overall student experience in the ACCelerator and at ACC.

What books, movies, shows, artists, etc. would you recommend people check out during Hispanic Heritage Month?
I highly recommend “McFarland, USA.” As a previous collegiate runner and Latina, it is one of my favorite movies.

Dr. Karina Hernandez

Dr. Karina Hernandez (she, her) began working at ACC in January 2014 as an adjunct faculty member and became a full-time faculty member in August of that same year. She serves as the associate dean of the Digital Fluency and Innovation Division and is a professor in the Computer Science and Information Technology Division. 

In addition, she co-chairs one of the Theory of Change design teams, where she works collaboratively to create a robust and scalable financial support strategy that addresses students’ various financial needs, enhances access to education, and supports students in successfully completing their programs. She is also a Blackboard Ultra Ambassador, supporting the transition and adoption of this learning platform. Furthermore, she mentors students through the Ascender Mentor Program, helping them navigate their academic and professional paths.

How do you identify with the Hispanic community?
I identify with the Hispanic community through my strong cultural ties, values, and traditions that I carry from my upbringing in Venezuela. Being raised in a vibrant and close-knit society has shaped my appreciation for family, community, and perseverance values that are central to the Hispanic experience. I take pride in the rich heritage, language, and customs that bind us as a community, and I continue to stay connected by participating in cultural events, sharing our traditions with my family, and supporting initiatives that uplift the Hispanic community.

What is your favorite way to celebrate your heritage?
My favorite way to celebrate my heritage is by gathering with family and friends to enjoy traditional Venezuelan dishes such as arepas, hallacas, and tequeños, especially during the holidays. Sharing a meal together is a powerful way to connect with my roots and it brings back fond memories of growing up in Venezuela. I also love listening to Latin music, especially salsa and merengue, which fills the room with energy and joy, keeping our cultural spirit alive. Ultimately, though, the best way for me to celebrate my heritage is by serving as a stepping-stone for the next generation, ensuring that these traditions continue. By mentoring and supporting those who come after me, I can help pass down our culture, so it remains vibrant and celebrated for years to come.

What advice would you give to our Hispanic/Latinx students?
My advice to Hispanic/Latinx students would be: Embrace your heritage and use it as a source of strength and pride. Your background brings unique perspectives and resilience that will guide you through both personal and professional challenges. Never be afraid to seek support from your community, whether it’s through mentorship, student organizations, or cultural groups. Stay focused and determined, especially when obstacles arise, and always remember that your voice matters. Be proud of who you are, and always keep learning and growing. Education is a powerful tool; use it to achieve your dreams and uplift others in your community because “Sí se puede” — yes, it is possible.

Who or what is your biggest inspiration? 
My biggest inspiration comes from my parents, who exemplify the virtues of hard work, humility, and integrity. They instilled in me the principle of “haz bien sin mirar a quien” — to always do good without considering who benefits or expecting anything in return. They taught me that with dedication, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. Their commitment to doing everything with love, staying humble, and being honest in all aspects of life has shaped who I am today. I carry these lessons with me in everything I do, from my professional career to raising my own children. They’ve inspired me to always give my best and to make a positive difference in the world, no matter the challenges.

What is your proudest achievement?  
My proudest achievement is staying true to my Hispanic values while actively contributing to my community in every role I take on, whether as a professional, a mother, or a servant of the Hispanic community. I am proud of how I have embraced my heritage and used it to guide me in my career, where I strive to make a difference by uplifting others and creating opportunities for those from diverse backgrounds. As a mother, I pass these values on to my children, ensuring they understand the importance of family, hard work, and giving back. Through my community involvement, I work to ensure that Hispanic voices are heard, and I dedicate myself to mentoring and empowering the next generation to succeed.

What do you want others to know or understand about your heritage?
I want others to understand that the Hispanic/Latinx community is incredibly diverse and goes far beyond one country or culture. While many people may primarily associate Hispanic heritage with a specific country, our roots span across Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Spain. As someone who was born and raised in Venezuela, I take pride in the unique customs, traditions, and experiences that shape my culture. Every country within the Hispanic world has its own rich history, subtle language differences, and ways of celebrating, and it’s important to recognize and appreciate this diversity. By understanding the full spectrum of Hispanic heritage, we can build a more inclusive and enriched community.

Nominate a colleague you think we should interview for the ACC Talks Hispanic Heritage Month series here.