Raíces: Activists

Mexican American Student Association (MASA)

The rise of Latino Student enrollment, even though small compared to contemporary standards, created the need for student activists to establish an organization that would increase awareness of Mexican-American culture on campus. Founded in 1974 by four students: María Frias (MASA President, ‘74), Mario Malacara (‘75), Steve Thornton (‘75), and Robert Perez (‘75), the Mexican American Student Association worked closely with the Center for Ethnic Affairs to raise the profile of the roughly 300 “forgotten minority” students at NTSU.

MASA’s activism extended beyond campus and into the surrounding community, including a Christmas party benefitting neighborhood children. In 1981, MASA evolved into the Mexican American Student Organization (MASO) for 8 years before transitioning into the Hispanic Students in Higher Education (HSHE) in 1989.

Group of 13 people. The first row is 3 men sitting down, the middle row is 4 women sitting on a couch behind them. Behind the couch is a row of 5 men and 1 woman standing up.

A man stands in front of a brick wall, posing with his left arm on his left. He has a moustache and wears a shirt with the letters MASA and NTSU on it.

White page. At the top is a collage of three pohtographs of a man, woman and another man. The title under it says A Search for Understanding. There is text under it.

At the top left of the page is a photo of 2 men. another one is lower on the right. The rest of the page is paragraphs of a text.

Hispanic Students for Higher Education (HSHE)

In 1989, MASO became the Hispanic Students for Higher Education or HSHE under the leadership of its first President, Melissa Ybarra. The organization continued throughout the decade, changing its name to the Association of Latin American Students or ALAS in 1999.

Group of 3 men and 4 women. The one in the middle is an old man in a black suit and red tie. There are three people on each side of him. On the right, beginning from the left, is a woman in a light blue dress, a man in a black suit and brown pants, and a woman in a white dress. To the left of the man in the middle (from right to left) is a woman in a navy suit, a man in a white dressy shirt and tie, and lastly a woman in a white dress.

A man in a suit poses arm in arm with a woman to his right in the picture. Behind them is a tree and a brick wall.

A white page with the letters HSHE at the top in big letters. Under it is Hispanic Students for Higher Education. Under that is a picture of 4 women and one man in 2 rows.

A white yearbook page. The top half of the page is a photo of a man standing at a podium. The right half of the bottom of the page is a photograph of a woman holding a poster.

DREAMers

This photograph documents the first time the Denton LULAC Chapter (Council #4366) participated in Denton’s 4th of July Parade along with their family and friends and a diverse group of approximately 50 people of all ages and races including Latino, African American and Caucasian. Members of UNeTe, UNT’s Latino/a Faculty and Staff Alliance, were also present. A large number of those involved were University of North Texas students who came to march in support of the DREAM Act and the President’s executive directive issued in June. One of the largest groups participating, the marchers announced their support of the DREAM Act proclaiming “The Next Generation Deserves an Education!”

Exhibits

Raíces: Activists

Mexican American Student Association (MASA)

Hispanic Students for Higher Education (HSHE)

DREAMers

In This Exhibit

Raíces: Activists

Mexican American Student Association (MASA)

Hispanic Students for Higher Education (HSHE)

DREAMers

In This Exhibit

Partnerships

Mail

Contact

Additional Links