UNCW Centro Hispano

Juegos de Mesa & Trivia 🧠

Join Centro Hispano for an afternoon of board games, trivia, pizza, snacks, and refreshments!

Thursday, August 20
2:00–4:00 PM
Centro Hispano, Fisher University Union 1049

Come by, play some games, grab some pizza, and hang out with us! Trivia will begin at 2:30 PM, and the winning group will receive a small prize. 🏆

Planning to come? RSVP on WaveLink so we know to expect you! Open to all students.

Last year’s Juegos de Mesa

August 2025

Welcome back, Seahawk familia!

Join Centro Hispano for Café con Leche (coffee) & Pan Dulce (pastries) as we welcome back our returning students and greet our new Seahawks!

📅 Sunday, August 16
⏰ 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
📍 Centro Hispano, Fisher University Union 1049

Stop by for some café con leche (coffee) and pan dulce (pastries), meet other students, and get to know faculty and staff from across campus.

Open to all students, faculty, staff, parents, families, and guests.

¡Te esperamos!



Last year’s Día de Bienvenida!

August 2025

Seahawk Stories: Elizabeth Hernandez ‘26

Photo: Jeff Janowski/UNCW
June 25, 2026

Spanish major Elizabeth Hernandez ’26 once thought that she would never go to college. Now, UNCW has become a place where she is redefining her future.

Originally from Dover, Florida, Hernandez describes her beginnings as humble. She moved around constantly as a child before settling in Rocky Point, North Carolina.  Her interest in pursuing higher education began in high school where she joined the UNCW Precollege Mentoring Program and the summer bridge program as a mentee. The programs were where she first felt passion to go to college.

“I didn’t believe I wanted to go to college after high school because I didn’t know what to major in. But they [the programs] helped me a lot,” said Hernandez. “With the help from one of my greatest supporters, Mrs. Wall, my middle school ESL teacher, I was pushed to pursue a secondary education.”

With the support of these programs and mentors, Hernandez received the NC Next, C.M. and M.D. Suther and Education Abroad scholarships. She also received the Mubleria El Nido Scholarship, awarded by a local Wilmington business to the most promising Centro Hispano students. As a first-generation college student, this support is truly valued.

“It means a lot to me. I come from a family where my family members could not finish their education due to financial hardships,” she said. “It makes me very happy and proud to have achieved such an education.”

Upon arriving at UNCW, Hernandez was unsure of what to major in but soon found direction in her own life experiences and inspiration from professors.

“I really wanted to learn more about my native language,” she said. “I was greatly inspired by Profesora Rider during my first Spanish class. Her passion for teaching the Spanish language radiated and greatly inspired me to pursue it as a degree.”

[Read remaining interview in the comments.]

Centro Hispano may call Room 1049 in the Fisher University Union home, but our corazón beats all across campus! 💛

Be sure to stop by and stay tuned for all exciting Centro events this upcoming semester! Whether you're looking for community, culture, or just a place to belong, you'll always have a seat with us. 🤗 We cannot wait to welcome new and returning faces!

Interested in joining the Centro Hispano team? APPLY NOW! 💛

A total of 6 positions are open: 5 center specialists with their respective focus areas and 1 graduate assistant position. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Priority deadline for applications is on Monday, July 13th at 11:59 p.m.

For more details about each role and access to the direct application form, scan the QR links on the following slides! 😁

We are proud to introduce our next Wall of Fame achiever — a creative, dedicated, and passionate first-generation leader whose commitment to film, photography, and community engagement has left a lasting mark on our campus community...

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Jennifer Garcia, Class of 2026
First Generation College Student

Degree: Film Studies
Minor: Spanish

Study Abroad: Oaxaca, Mexico (Spring 2026)

Heritage: Atlixco, Puebla, Mexico
Hometown: Southern Pines, North Carolina

Hobbies: Digital photography, film, walking, playing Just Dance, collaging, photo editing, collecting vinyl, and being a music enthusiast

Organizations Involved: Centro Acuario, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern North Carolina

Where do you work?
Wall of Fame Coordinator & Alumni Relations at Centro Hispano; Intern at Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern North Carolina

Top 3 Accomplishments:
1. One of my biggest accomplishments is being able to pursue my education in Wilmington, thanks to my family’s support and sacrifices. I am proud to be a first-generation college student and to soon be the first in my family to earn a bachelor’s degree. It has not always been easy, but it motivates me because I know I am doing this in honor of my parents.
2. I challenge myself to step out of my comfort zone by applying to Centro Hispano. That choice opened many doors for me and has had a direct impact on who I am and the work I am doing today. With this, I am proud to say that I photographed and edited over 30 Wall of Fame seniors this academic year.
3. I am really proud of how much I have grown through my work at the Boys and Girls Club. Going into it, I had no experience working with kids, but I pushed myself to learn how to connect with them and take on a leadership role. That experience not only helped me grow but also showed me new career paths I had not considered before.

Plans after Graduation:
After graduation, I will continue my job search while enjoying my last few months in Wilmington. I am especially interested in exploring opportunities in higher education, and I also plan to continue developing my senior production project so I can refine it without the pressure of a deadline.

Dream Job:
My dream job is to become a full-time photographer and, one day, own my own photography business and studio.

Any advice to the generation rising at UNCW?
I cannot stress it enough, but please take the time and effort to get to know your professors and staff at UNCW. They are there for a reason, and I guarantee you they want to see you succeed. So please ask them all the questions and concerns you have.

Motivational Quote:
"It's only temporary." – Mayra Robles