Northeastern Illinois University organized its first university-wide field trip on March 27, bringing around 100 students and employees to the Chicago History Museum to visit the “Aquí en Chicago” exhibit, according to an April 2 announcement.
The event aimed to foster a sense of community among participants while highlighting the significance of Latiné communities in Chicago. Northeastern Illinois University is recognized as the longest-standing four-year public Hispanic-Serving Institution in the Midwest, and nearly one third of Chicago’s population identifies as Latiné.
The trip was coordinated by the University’s Council on the Status of Latinés and led by Professor Isaura Pulido and Director Angelica Rivera. It received sponsorship from several university leaders including President Katrina E. Bell-Jordan, who said, “Being able to be on site as a community to experience something together is huge. We’ll all experience it together, remember it together, be able to articulate it together and celebrate it together, and maybe move forward our University in some ways because of this.” Bell-Jordan also remarked that gathering at an exhibit honoring Latiné histories allows participants “to engage with histories and stories…that have shaped our city, and in many ways our University.”
Morning sessions featured presentations from Erica Griffith-Fabicon of the museum; Lilia Fernández from University of Illinois Chicago; and Elena Gonzales from the museum’s civic engagement team. Fernández encouraged students: “For you students, I really want to encourage you to really think about doing research.” Gonzales emphasized unity within Chicago’s diverse communities: “There’s not a separate…Latiné Chicago population that’s elsewhere… The Chicago that we all experience every day is Latiné.”
The “Aquí en Chicago” exhibit originated after high school students noted a lack of Latiné representation during a class visit in 2019. Since then, efforts have been made by the museum toward greater inclusivity.
Participants explored exhibits throughout the museum before concluding with group reflections. Student Dalina Peguse observed similarities between Black and Latin communities’ experiences in America. Dean Steven Harris discussed improving library collections for better cultural representation.
Melanny Buitron—a graduate student—shared how seeing Ecuadorian culture represented gave her confidence: “This experience reminded me that our stories deserve to take up space…because they are a vital part of Chicago’s story too.”
Through its partnership with the museum’s University Partner Groups program, Northeastern provides free admission for current students and staff along with other benefits such as educational resources access.
Dr. Pulido summarized why these initiatives matter: “Representation and diversity within museums matters…It’s important for our students to know their voices matter in this field.”
