Check Out These Upcoming Latino American Events at your CGCC Library

What:   Celebrating Local Latino Artists and Community Oral History Exhibition Opening and Artists Panel

When:  Wednesday, March 9th – Friday, April 8^th, 2016, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Where: Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Pecos Library: First Floor

Made possible by a grant from the American Library Association and National Endowment for the Arts
Join us for the Celebrating Local Latino Artists and Community Oral History Exhibit opening and listen to a panel of the exhibited artists discuss art, identity, culture, and community. The exhibit features local artists Marco Albarran, Jose Benavidas, Norma Garcia-Torres, Zarco Guerrero and Martin Moreno including oral histories of the artists and oral histories of community members collected by Mexican-American History and Culture students.Panel begins at 7:00 pm. Light refreshments served.

The oral history of artists and in the community are posted here: http://www.cgc.maricopa.edu/Library/Latino/Pages/default.aspx 

Moreover, excerpts from the interviews will be interwoven in the art exhibit with QR code links to audio clips from interviews. Here is an example of one of these display quotes:

http://www.cgc.maricopa.edu/Library/Latino/Documents/Moreno_artists%20responsibility.MP3​

…And at the Downtown Library!

What:   Sharing Our Heritage: Chandler Latino Voices

When: Saturday, March 5, 2016, 2-3 p.m.

Where: Downtown Chandler Public Library, Copper Room South-North

Details: Celebrating the lore and legacy of Chandler’s Latino history, individuals representing the past 100 years, including members of Chandler’s pioneering Mexican American families and those who continue to empower the community, will share their oral recollections, stories and experiences.  Historical photographs from the Chandler Museum will be displayed on banners as part of an exhibit that will subsequently travel to the library branches, public schools and Chandler-Gilbert Community College, a community partner.

What:   Prejudice and Pride, Latino Americans Film Viewing, Episode 5 (1965-1980)

When:  Tuesday, March 8, 2016, 6:30-8:30 p.m

Where: Downtown Chandler Library, Copper Room South

Details: This episode details the creation of the proud “Chicano” identity, as labor leaders organize farm workers in Arizona and California. The film will be followed by a facilitated discussion led by Dr. Christine Marin. Dr. Marin, professor, archivist, curator, established the Arizona State University Chicana/o Research Collection along with the Chicana/Chicano Studies Department at A.S.U.

What:   Corazon Del Nopal:  The Power and Heart of Los Chicanos

Author Talk by Stella Pope Duarte and Music by Guerrero Family Music

When:  Saturday, March 19, 2016, 2-3 p.m.

Where: Downtown Chandler Library, Copper Room South-North

Details: From the ancient ruins of the 300-year-old Aztec empire, a new nation rose in the midst of treachery, oppression and unrelenting war.  Comets, prophecies and smoking mirrors signaled their birth as they founded Tenochtitlan (Mexico City), and eventually journeyed north from the Valley of Mexico to take their place in the making of America. Duarte’s riveting talk on the legacy of the modern-day Chicanos will be enhanced by a performance from Guerrero Family Music.

For more details: https://www.chandleraz.gov/newsrelease.aspx?N_UID=3270

CGCC has a strong commitment to co-curricular events as we are convinced it enhances students' learning, connects them more to the college and their community which leads to greater persistence, and strengthens our communities. We welcome your participation and your sharing of the opportunities.

Acclaimed Mexican American Author Sandra Cisneros Visits CGCC

Best-selling author Sandra Cisneros was recognized at a tribute event last Friday at the Chandler Gilbert Community College Performing Arts Center.

Cisneros is regarded as a key figure in Chicana literature and culture. She is the recipient of numerous awards including a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship. Her book, The House On Mango Street remains a popular book for young adult readers, and continues to be a required reading in middle school, high school, colleges and universities around the country

Cisneros' visit to CGCC is part of the college's

Latino American history program to provide unique educational opportunities to students to learn about the history and cultural impact of Latino Americans in the United States. Earlier this summer, CGCC was awarded Latino Americans: 500 Years of History grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association.  As one of 203 grant recipients selected from across the country, CGCC received an award of $10,000 to produce public programming about Latino history and culture.
Hundreds of admirers turned out to listen to the author read excerpts from her award winning work including the popular novel, 'The House On Mango Street.' Event attendees included CGCC students and faculty, local high school students and longtime fans. Following the event, Cisneros signed copies of her books and posed for pictures with attendees.

Hermanas Conference Promotes Science, Technology, Engineering and Math to Latina Middle School Students

Chandler-Gilbert Community College, in partnership with Intel Corporation will host more than 200 Latina middle school students for the Hermanas: Disena Tu Futuro (Design Your Future) conference on Friday, October 23 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Williams Campus in Mesa. Students from Chandler, Gilbert, Higley, Mesa and Queen Creek school districts will participate in the one-day conference which promotes Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) to underrepresented Latina middle school students.
                                      
The Hermanas Conference provides a supportive environment in which young women can interact with successful Latinas in STEM careers, explore technological careers, receive encouragement to finish school, attend college and to pursue their goals.

"Many young Latinas are not aware of the opportunities available in technology, or what it takes to be an engineer, scientist or a technical professional," said Maria Reyes, Dean Career and Technical Education at CGCC. "All too often, there is the perception that these professions are not considered “traditional careers” for Latinas. The Hermanas conference is aimed to educate young Latinas about careers in STEM, as well as prepare these women to be successful in education and the workforce."

The one-day conference introduces students to various engineering disciplines, provides hands-on experiences to build their problems-solving and teaming skills, and includes informational sessions on preparing for academic and professional success in an interactive environment.  Participants engage in hands-on engineering design activities coordinated by college faculty, dialogue with Latina engineers in the Latina Town Hall and attend a college fair. 

CGCC Presents A Tribute to Acclaimed Writer Sandra Cisneros

Award winning  and best-selling Mexican American author Sandra Cisneros will be honored at a tribute event at Chandler-Gilbert Community College's (CGCC) Pecos Campus on Friday, October 23 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. During the event, Cisneros will read excerpts from work including her acclaimed first novel, "The House On Mango Street" published in 1984.

Cisneros was born in Chicago in 1954 and received her BA in English from Loyola University of Chicago in 1976. Her novel "The House on Mango Street," about a young Latina woman coming of age in Chicago, has sold more than two million copies. She is the recipient of numerous awards including a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, and is regarded as a key figure in Chicana literature and culture.

"Sandra's work is an important part of Mexican American literature. Her book, The House On Mango Street remains a popular book for young adult readers, and continues to be a required reading in middle school, high school, colleges and universities around the country," said David Muñoz, Residential Faculty Philosophy & Religious Studies at CGCC. "Sandra's visit to CGCC is an opportunity for our students and the public at large to see her in person and view some of her award winning work. You don't want to miss this event!"

Cisneros' visit to CGCC is part of the college's Latino American history program to provide unique educational opportunities to students to learn about the history and cultural impact of Latino Americans in the United States. Earlier this summer, CGCC was awarded Latino Americans: 500 Years of History grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association.  As one of 203 grant recipients selected from across the country, CGCC received an award of $10,000 to produce public programming about Latino history and culture.

This free event will be held inside the Arnette Scott Ward Performing Arts Center and is open to the public. A formal book signing will take place immediately following the event. The Pecos Campus is located at 2626 E. Pecos Rd., Chandler, AZ 85225. For more information please contact David Muñoz at david.munoz@cgc.edu.

Chandler-Gilbert Community College Awarded National Latino Grant: Grant to educate students about the history and culture of Latinos in the U.S.

Chandler, Ariz.—August 5, 2015--

Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) has been awarded a Latino Americans: 500 Years of History grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the American Library Association (ALA).  As one of 203 grant recipients selected from across the country, CGCC will receive an award of $10,000 to produce public programming about Latino history and culture. CGCC’s participation in the Latino Americans grant affords a unique opportunity to provide a framework for students and community members to explore the history and cultural impact of Latinos in the United States. 

At the center of the programming is the six-part, NEH-supported documentary film “Latino Americans,” created for PBS in 2013 by the WETA public television station. The award-winning series chronicles the history of Latinos in the United States from the 16th century to present day. Learn more about the series at www.pbs.org/latino-americans.  Three episodes of the documentary will be screened between September and May with scholar-led discussions after the screenings.

Donna Thompson, Humanities and Woman Studies Faculty and grant co-director, emphasizes the importance of “using the arts and humanities to explore the challenges and opportunities present in our communities.” She explains that “An essential feature of CGCC’s grant events is the focus on creating space for conversation, debate among students, scholars, and community members around significant concerns and issues in our region like immigration, the Dream Act, migrant workers, cultural conflicts, and citizenship.” 

Program activities will engage students and community youth from the Si Se Puede Foundation in writing and sharing their stories; hearing the writing of Southwest and local writers, including Sandra Cisneros; with local playwrights, actors, and artists; and producing dramatic scenes in response to the migrant experience. 

Alexandra Cannell, CGCC Coordinator of Service-Learning, explains the positive outcomes of this work: “This grant provides the opportunity to deepen our relationship with Si Se Puede Foundation through programming that will serve its youth and educate our own students by giving them avenues to explore their own identities in connection with Latino history and current events. This is a critical component of their personal development that will positively impact their futures and the future of our community." 

Programming will also involve recording and sharing the histories of local Latino American artists to celebrate the artists’ lives and accomplishments, teach about local history and themes inherent in the artists’ life experiences, and inspire community members, especially the youth, to make art part of their life for identity exploration, enrichment, and expression. CGCC will be display the oral histories collected in their library as well at Chandler Public Library.

For more information, please call Dean of Arts and Sciences, Chris Schnick at 480-732-7274, or visit www.ala.org/latinoamericans.       

About Chandler-Gilbert Community College

Chandler-Gilbert Community College is one of ten Maricopa County Community Colleges, the largest community college system in the country. CGCC serves the higher education needs of over 19,000 students at four locations in the Southeast Valley of the Phoenix metropolitan area - the Pecos Campus in Chandler, the Williams Campus in Mesa, the Sun Lakes Center in Sun Lakes and at the Communiversity in Queen Creek. CGCC offers degrees and certificates in a variety of fields, university transfer, workforce development programs, and continuing education, along with nationally recognized programs in service learning, learning communities, and civic engagement. For more information, visit cgc.edu or call 480-732-7000.

About the National Endowment for Humanities

Created in 1965 as an independent federal agency, the National Endowment for the Humanities supports research and learning in history, literature, philosophy and other areas of the humanities by funding selected, peer-reviewed proposals from around the nation. Additional information about the National Endowment for the Humanities and its grant programs is available at www.neh.gov.     

About the American Library Association

The American Library Association is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with approximately 58,000 members in academic, public, school, government and special libraries. The mission of the American Library Association is to provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.