Events will celebrate Hispanic heritage

University of North Georgia (UNG) alumna Sofia Bork, '11, will serve as Hispanic Heritage Month keynote speaker. Her talk is set for noon on Wed. Oct. 11 in Young Hall 216. Those who are not able to attend in-person will be able to watch the talk via Zoom.

Bork is the community affairs manager for the Georgia region with Truist. She leads through engaging community organizations with the local allocation of the Truist Foundation and the Trusteed Foundations in Greater Atlanta/Northern Georgia. She also serves as the liaison for Truist government affairs activities in Georgia.

Bork served on the transition team for Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and formerly served as the director of Latinx strategy for Dickens' 2021 mayoral campaign and as a member of his Young Professional Committee, and later serving on his inauguration committee. She has also served as a member of City Council President Doug Shipman’s Latino Leaders Council and is an alumna of the LEAD Atlanta 2019 Class.

Increasing the cultural competency of our community is one of our goals in MSA, so that our students are prepared to lead in a global society.

Dr. Andrew Johnson

UNG MSA director

"It is important to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month to bring attention to the contributions and unique aspects of Hispanic culture." 

The Hispanic Heritage Month paint by number event is new this year and is set for noon Sept. 28 on the Hoag Student Center Patio in Dahlonega and the Student Center Commons in Gainesville. The first 100 students to attend will receive paint by number kits that have the portraits of one of four notable historical figures: civil rights activist Cesar Chavez, astronaut Ellen Ochoa, artist Frida Kahlo, and actress/dancer/singer Rita Moreno. Students will also have the opportunity to learn more about the background, impact, and legacy of those four people, Johnson said.

Returning favorite events include Kahoot trivia, which Johnson said provides an opportunity to learn more about Hispanic culture in a fun, engaging way. The virtual format gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it also allows participants to engage all five campuses at the same time. 

The art exhibition is a partnership with the Department of Visual Arts and Dr. Ana Pozzi. This is the second time it is being held, Johnson said. This year it will be on the Gainesville Campus, with a concluding reception at 4 p.m. Oct. 14 in the Arts & Technology Building Student Gallery. The deadline for student submissions is Sept. 19 and may be made through UNG Connect.

Although the speakers change with each celebration, the overarching goal is to give students an opportunity to see, hear and learn from individuals from a variety of backgrounds, Johnson said.

"Providing these types of cultural events gives students the opportunity to broaden their horizons and learn more about cultures that may be different than their own," Johnson said. "Increasing the cultural competency of our community is one of our goals in MSA, so that our students are prepared to lead in a global society."