Community reflections

Several paintings created by UTRGV students, faculty and staff will be on display during the Center for Diversity and Inclusion and DREAM Resource Center’s open house on both campuses.

The event will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday in Student Union 1.20 on the Brownsville campus and at the same time Tuesday in University Center 306A on the Edinburg campus.

Jose Aaron Hinojosa, program coordinator for the Center for Diversity and Inclusion and DREAM Resource Center, said the paintings represent students, faculty and staff’s identity or motivation.

“Something that represents who they are or part of their identity or something that motivates or inspires them,” Hinojosa said. 

Asked about the purpose of the paintings, Hinojosa replied it was to try to make a welcoming environment that portrays the community.

“I figured it would be best to do a little bit of that through some of the paintings, through some of the artwork, but that way, students feel like that’s their space, too, and that they’ve contributed,” he said.

The Center for Diversity and Inclusion and DREAM Resource Center will host an open house to inform visitors about the programs and services they provide.

The event is open to the university community and family members are welcomed to attend as well, Hinojosa said.

“One of the things that I have learned from some of the projects that I’ve been doing is that, especially with undocumented students or students who have DACA, they were first under the impression they couldn’t come to college,” he said. “I think informing the families and friends that we exist and it’s possible to come to college, so that’s a good opportunity to invite friends and family.”

Asked why students should attend, Hinojosa replied, “One of the main purposes for this center is to build inclusivity and, kind of, invite our community to embrace each other.”

Refreshments will be served.

“They can come and, just kind of, hang out and meet people, learn about the center, but also, look at the canvases that were done,” he said.

For more information about the open house, email diversity@utrgv.edu or call 665-2260.