Iona University Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

October 5, 2022

Iona University is proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15-October 15, 2022! In addition to a robust calendar of guest speakers, dance performances, special events and more, we hope you will enjoy these student profiles that reflect the voices around campus while amplifying diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) at Iona.

Gabrielle Rodríguez ’23 Celebrates Diversity at Iona: ‘The world is very diverse and that’s what makes it beautiful.’

Those who have a passion for sharing their culture and celebrating other people’s unique histories and traditions have the power to make the world a better place. Gabrielle Rodríguez ’23 is one of those people. As president of the Organization of Latinx American Students (O.L.A.S.), Gabrielle takes great pride in spreading acceptance across Iona’s campus while showcasing her own Puerto Rican heritage. 

“The world is very diverse and that’s what makes it beautiful,” she said.

Growing up within a predominantly white middle school, however, Gabrielle’s journey to finding people that understood her culture did not come easily. Yet joining O.L.A.S. during her freshman year gave her a sense of community at Iona, and allowed her to express herself in a new campus environment.

Gabrielle is an Arts Leadership major with a concentration in theatre. With her parents both being in the medical field, she is the first in her family to pursue a future in the arts. Her appreciation for theatre and the arts allows her to express herself and provides new ways to showcase her culture, she said. 

For Gabrielle, the feeling of connection and excitement that has blossomed through O.L.A.S. is important on many levels, and she invites anyone who may be interested – regardless of background – to share in that sense of community in a welcoming, supportive and inclusive environment.

“I’m looking forward to growing our club,” she said. “I want it to be a safe space, and I want it to be a place of love.” 

Led by Faith and Family, Javier Raudales ’23 Aspires to Make a Difference in the World

Parents often play a large role in being a student’s motivation to succeed. Javier Raudales ’23 carries his mother’s inspiration with him throughout his studies at Iona, as she continuously encourages him to work hard and achieve his dreams.

“My mom used to always tell me, ‘Work hard for everything because not everything is given to you,’” he said. “If somebody is working hard, you have to work twice as hard as them.”

A Business Management major in the LaPenta School of Business, Javier is on a path to being a first-generation college graduate in his family. Both of his parents immigrated from Honduras, and he said his drive to achieve this proud milestone comes from his mother. His mother was also the person who inspired his spiritual awakening.

“Before high school, I wasn’t that religious,” he said. “Toward the end of high school and through the start of college, I started to believe it through her words.”

Javier not only found hope within his mother’s faith, but also was inspired to deepen his service and commitment as a Campus Minister at Iona. He is a Eucharistic Minister, setting up Masses on campus, and also coordinates the Midnight Runs, feeding those in need. Javier is also a team manager for men’s basketball under Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino, which he said is an unbelievable life experience. He is also known for always wearing a rosary around his neck.

“The rosary I always wear is my good luck. I got it through high school, and I think that was the start of my good years all the way until now, so ever since then, I’ve been wearing it,” he said.

While Javier proudly carries his culture and beliefs with him every day, he also hopes he can inspire others to embrace and celebrate their own personal identities.

“The way I’ve always tried to approach that is to make sure everyone is welcome and is treated the same,” he said. “When I do Midnight Runs, I connect with everyone, and the same for my classes. I always try to make sure everyone is accepted and feels welcome.”

Ashley Nuñez ’23 Spreads Cultural Awareness by Example at Iona

For many students, the journey to get to college is not as simple as getting through high school and following in the footsteps of their parents. For Ashley Nuñez ’23, her academic achievements have become a milestone in her family’s history. She is a first-generation college student who is working hard to make her family proud, all while spreading cultural awareness and pride throughout campus.  

Ashley is in her senior year studying English and Education. She is from Long Branch, N.J., and plans to get her master’s degree at Iona and become a high school English teacher following graduation. 

She is also Vice President of the student club O.L.A.S., or Organization of Latinx American Students. This club gives students an opportunity to connect with others who share similar interests and experiences. The club is diverse, including students from a wide range of Latin and Hispanic backgrounds, and is open to all students who appreciate and want to explore diverse cultures. She is also involved with the Iona Singers, Music Ministry, Women’s Club Soccer, and is a peer mentor on campus. 

“We work to create awareness and make a community where we can appreciate each other’s differences within the Latin community,” Ashley said. “We include everyone because I think it’s important for all of us to appreciate each other’s cultures.” 

Ashley is passionate about representing her Mexican heritage, and O.L.A.S. allows her to do so while also learning about other cultures.

“Having a group of people that you can talk to about anything; to raise questions, express the same anxieties and fears, and overall get into the community with – I think it’s very important to know that you are not alone,” she said.

She often shows her pride by wearing traditional Mexican jewelry and singing Mexican music as part of the Iona Singers and Music Ministry, which she says helps her stay grounded. In showcasing her talents, she is spreading her pride and inspiring the students around her to do the same. 

Ashley has been part of O.L.A.S. for the entirety of her time at Iona, holding the presidential title during her junior year at Iona. She reflects that the club has had a substantial impact on how she was able to adapt to the college experience, and now hopes she can serve as a guide for other students who may be experiencing similar feelings.  

ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of more than 50,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona is widely recognized in prestigious rankings, including The Princeton Review’s 2025 national list of “The Best 390 Colleges” and The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse’s “2024 Best Colleges in America,” which ranked Iona at #66 in the nation overall and #8 in the nation among Catholic schools. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just six percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review recognized Iona’s on-campus MBA program as a “Best Business School for 2023.” Iona also offers a fully online MBA program for even greater flexibility. In July 2021, Iona announced the establishment of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, which is now principally located on Iona’s Bronxville campus in collaboration with NewYork-Presbyterian. Connecting to its Irish heritage, the University also recently announced it is expanding abroad with a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.