Latino Student Initiatives

"Bienvenidos" means "welcome" in Spanish. This is an event to welcome all Latino-identifying students, including incoming first-years, transfer students, and current students back to campus. This event will connect students to resources available to them on and off campus, while providing an opportunity to meet other students.

"Creando Comunidad" means "creating community" in Spanish. Latinx Heritage Month is nationally recognized during the dates of September 15 - October 15 as of 1988 to acknowledge the important contributions made by Hispanic and Latin-Americans to the United States.

During these months, the University of Cincinnati celebrates with a wide variety of educational opportunities, cultural activities, and programs to bring awareness to, and to embrace the diversity of the University of Cincinnati and the City of Cincinnati. Some events include: movies, presentations, speakers, and a conference, just to name a few. 

On Wednesday, September 15th, 2021, our office will be hosting the Latinx Heritage Month 2021 Opening Ceremony to welcome the month-long period of honoring Latinx heritage and contributions. 

On Friday, October 4th, 2019, the Office of Ethnic Programs and Services within the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Cincinnati proudly hosted the 4th Annual Ohio Latino Student Summit!

OLSS 2019 sought to connect, enhance, and build community among Latino student leaders through workshops, motivational speakers, and accessible resources. We invite high school students, undergraduate students, and graduate students throughout the Greater Cincinnati area to take part in this impactful day-long program and provide them a setting that allows for the learning of skills that will foster Latino student success.

This year, our theme is ¡Proximos Pasos!, which translates to “next steps”. We will be providing Latino students with the tools to take the next steps in their development and advancement, and to define what the future will look like for the Latin-American student experience. 

Our three tracks of focus are: 1) Social Justice & Community Activism, 2) Student Leadership & Professional Development, and 3) Cultural Identity & Historical Significance.

Follow OLSS on social media for updates! (Instagram/Twitter: @olss_uc and Facebook Page: Ohio Latino Student Summit .

For questions/concerns/information, contact Marquez Jones (jones2mq@ucmail.uc.edu). 

To recognize and reward students at the University of Cincinnati who have demonstrated leadership, passion and dedication towards serving the University of Cincinnati and the Greater Cincinnati Latino community. The scholarship will be awarded to three students who embody the legacy of Rafael Rennella.

Scholarship recipients were announced at the 2020 Rafael Rennella Scholarship Banquet on Friday, April 10th. 

The award recipients will be expected to complete a project which demonstrates Rafael Rennella's Legacy, and his commitment to the Latin-American community. 

Rafael Rennella was a student leader at the University of Cincinnati (UC). He came to Cincinnati from Argentina in 1979 and eventually earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering at UC in 1994. Rafael left a legacy of service and accomplishment. Always true to his ethnic roots, Rafael founded the group, Hispanic Engineers, at the University of Cincinnati, devoted long hours to the Emerging Ethnic Engineers program and helped found Latinos en Acción, a student organization active in political and social causes on campus. He served as president of the student organization, Latinos en Acción (LEA) in 1994-1995. Upon graduating from UC, Rafael began working with Procter & Gamble as a systems analyst. Rafael’s life and labor were cut short at the age of 26 when he died of an asthma attack in 1995. Shortly thereafter, students, staff, faculty, alumni and P&G employees organized to develop a plan to raise $25,000 towards an endowment goal. The Rafael Rennella Scholarship was created in 2000. 

• Must have a minimum of a 2.50 GPA.
• Must be a full-time matriculated undergraduate student currently enrolled at the University of Cincinnati.
• Must demonstrate involvement or commitment in the Latino Community and/or for the enhancement of the Latino student experience
• Current president of LEA and/or past recipients of the Rafael Rennella scholarship are ineligible to apply for the scholarship
• Students transferring from any of the UC satellite campuses (Blue Ash or Clermont) are encouraged to apply.
• Open to all undergraduate UC students, regardless of legal status

All applications will be reviewed by a selection committee who will be comprised of diverse faculty, staff, and past Rafael Rennella Scholarship Recipients. 

Applicants will be evaluated on three primary criteria:

• Demonstrated commitment to serving the University of Cincinnati and the Greater Cincinnati Latino community
• Current and Future leadership potential
• Academic achievement at the University of Cincinnati