Immerse yourself … Del Mar College’s Mexican American Studies Summer Seminar, “Necesitamos Más, MAS,” marking twelfth year this Saturday, July 25
Free full-day public event allows participants to explore topics ranging from art, food and music to history, politics and so much more at Heritage Campus Coles Classroom Building
Article by Melinda Eddleman
The event is like taking a one-day trip that immerses participants in food, art, literature, music, history, community involvement, language and even politics that have shaped the local Mexican American culture’s identity. And this Saturday, July 25, you can take that journey during Del Mar College’s 12th Mexican American Studies (MAS) Summer Seminar, “Necesitamos Más, MAS,” to explore what makes this South Texas community unique.
This year’s event is quite different from last year. We have lined up unique speakers such as Jenna Jasso, who is originally from Corpus Christi and co-founder of Austin’s Festival Beach Food Forest, the only one on public park land in Texas, along with other notable speakers and panelists throughout the seminar.
The free educational and celebratory event, which provides insight into topics covered by the college’s MAS academic program, runs 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Solomon M. Coles Classroom Building on the Heritage Campus located at 101 Baldwin Blvd.,78404 (online directions/campus map). While registration is not required, participants who would like the light breakfast and lunch, sign up is available at events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1785011.
Questions? Contact Dr. Araiza at iaraiza2@delmar.edu or the Department of Social Sciences at 361-698-1228.
Ranging from keynote addresses to breakout sessions to an art exhibit featuring local young artists, the rundown of the seminar is as follows:
- 8:30 a.m.: Event opens with check-in/in-person registration
- 9 a.m.: Welcome/Opening Plenary
- 10 a.m.: Concurrent breakout sessions
- 11:50 a.m.: Light lunch/Mariachi performance
- 12:15 p.m.: Keynote address with Jenna Jasso
- 1:45 p.m.: Concurrent breakout sessions
- 3:15 p.m.: Closing discussion covering DMC Mexican American Studies Center/Raffle
A detailed schedule listing breakout session topics and more is available on the MAS Summer Seminar website at www.delmar.edu/degrees/mexican-american-studies/summer/index.html
As noted by Dr. Araiza, Jasso will provide a keynote address, which begins at 12:15 p.m. and titled Empowering Communities Through Connection to Place. “I had the opportunity to tour the food forest last summer, and the way that Jenna talked about the connection with land, culture, identity and history was so powerful,” she says.
“With a company she founded, Tierra Sagrada, Jenna has worked with schools, universities and colleges as well as the private sector and has designed outdoor spaces embracing native species with an eye toward responsible water use; so, given our recent water crisis, her work seemed like this powerful intersection of the mission of the MAS Summer Seminar coupled with addressing real on-the-ground issues we are facing,” Dr. Araiza adds.
In addition to Jasso’s work, the summer seminar features a morning panel discussing Tejano Radio and its role in community-building. Other morning sessions will focus on Mexican American art, literature and folklore. Afternoon breakout sessions will focus on justice-related topics—voting rights, Mexican American women as change-makers and young people exploring past and present issues in the community.
“It’s going to be a great seminar!,” exclaims Dr. Araiza, and she encourages everyone to mark their calendars for Saturday, July 25, to “Get more. Get MAS!” at Del Mar College and immerse themselves in a cultural learning experience right in their own backyard.
Learn more about the DMC Mexican American Studies Program as an academic opportunity at www.delmar.edu/mas.
Del Mar College empowers students to achieve their dreams. We offer quality programs, individual attention, outstanding instruction through faculty with real-world experience and affordable costs to credit and noncredit students in Corpus Christi and the South Texas Coastal Bend area. Nationally recognized while locally focused, we’re ranked in the top two percent of community colleges in the country granting associate degrees to Hispanic students (Community College Week). Del Mar College focuses on offering our students programs that match current or emerging career opportunities. Whether students are interested in the fine arts, sciences, business, occupational or technical areas, students get the education they need for the future they want at Del Mar College.
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