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Across the United States, communities celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15. This month-long observance gives us a chance to learn about and celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities.

This year¡¯s theme is Esperanza: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and Hope. Esperanza, or hope, was selected, in part, to encompass the challenges of the past 18 months, and the importance of reflection and resilience as we work together to build a better tomorrow.

In the spirit of being better together, Â鶹´«Ã½ recognizes the valuable contributions and strengths of our Hispanic and Latino team members.

Hispanic Heritage Month Events

For the second year in a row, our Latinos in Â鶹´«Ã½ (LiS) employee resource group (ERG) has coordinated a roster of events to share stories, build connections, and inspire us all at Â鶹´«Ã½.

Since its formation in 2017, our LiS ERG has established seven chapters. The group seeks to raise awareness of Latino culture, with the vision to empower LiS members to serve as role models, work with their communities, and become leaders at Â鶹´«Ã½. ERGs at Â鶹´«Ã½ are open to all.

Our support to the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) is one example of how Â鶹´«Ã½ makes a difference. This year, we supported SHPE students pursuing science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) qualifications via the Â鶹´«Ã½ Equity & Diversity Scholarship Program and our partnership with the SHPE Twin Cities Chapter in Minnesota.

¡°Data shows us that a number of Hispanic students don¡¯t have access to the right resources or support at early ages,¡± says water resources engineer and LiS co-chair Luisa Torres. ¡°The earlier we can link up with children and help them become aware of the exciting career paths available to them, the better. These efforts grow representation across our industries and build strong future candidates for our Company.¡±

To learn more about our Employee Resource Groups, click here.

About Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed each year from September 15 to October 15, as the national independence days for many Latin American countries happen during this time. This month-long celebration gives us the opportunity to learn about and celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino people whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Observing National Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to recognize the valuable contributions Hispanic and Latino people make and continue to make to our communities and to our industry