The Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) works to bring awareness to cultural and historic observances celebrated by our campus community.

For more information or to get involved, contact the office by email: Multicultural_Affairs@uml.edu.

Latinx Heritage Month

When: September 15 - October 15

About
Recognized annually, Latinx Heritage Month honors the history, cultural diversity, and unique contributions of individuals and communities whose ancestry can be traced back to Spain, Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Enacted into U.S. law on August 17, 1988, the 30-day observance begins on September 15 to coincide with the independence anniversaries of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. They are followed shortly by Mexico and Chile.

Latinx Heritage Month 2026 Events

  • Latinx History Month Tabling: Wednesday, September 16th from 12:00-3:00pm on the first floor of the Meehan Student Center. Stop by OMA's table for some Latinx History Month trivia and activities!
  • MFA Boston - Latinx Heritage Night: Thursday, September 18th from 5:00-10:00pm at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. $5 tickets! Latinx Heritage Night | Museum of Fine Arts
  • Bad Busy and Post-Maria Puerto Rico: Monday, September 21 from 12:15-1:15pm. Hosted by Salem State University: Join us for a virtual talk and discussion led by Dr. Elisa Castillo and Carlie Pierre, MEd about how Bad Bunny became the voice of the Puerto Rican community after the island was devastated by hurricane Maria in 2017. This is a multimedia presentation that will address the history of current socio-political reality in Puerto Rico through bad Bunny's music videos. Register on ZOOM: Bad Bunny and Post-Maria Puerto Rico
  • Annual Lowell Hispanic and Latinx Festival: Saturday, September 26 from 1:00-9:00pm at the Sampas Pavilion in Lowell. Sponsored by the Latinx Community Center of Empowerment: Free community event celebrating Hispanic heritage with live music, dance workshops, and traditional Latin American foods.
  • Modern Migration Stories: Tuesday, October 6th from 12:00-2:00pm (lunch provided) at the MCC Federal Building Assembly Room. Sponsored by the Merrimack Valley Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Alliance (MV IDEA). Register by 9/30 at tinyurl.com/4thesuh7.
  • Latinx History Month Tabling: Tuesday, October 6th from 12:00-3:00pm outside McGauvran Center. Stop by OMA's table for some Latinx History Month trivia and activities!

Coming Out, Coming Together Month

When: October

About
Celebrated annually in October, Coming Out, Coming Together, highlights Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning (LGBTQ+) history, identity, and community resilience. The month highlights national observances, including National Coming Out Day on October 11, to promote self-expression and visibility in a supportive environment.

Events & Resources
Visit the LGBTQ+ Resource Center Page for upcoming events, campus programs, and year-round resources.

Native American Heritage Month

When: November

About:
Native American Heritage Month celebrated the unique cultures, traditions, history, and contributions of native people while raising awareness about historical and ongoing challenges. UMass Lowell celebrates, honors, and recognizes Indigenous People's Day and Native American Heritage Month.

Resources:

  • Native American Heritage Lib Guide - a collection of different education resources and items detailing the history of this month and its importance.
  • Pawtucket and Wamesit History: Markers, Plaques and Statues - a collection of artifacts, documents, images and writings from Native American settlements in the Greater Lowell. Artifacts found in Lowell in the collection of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology.
  • The 50th Anniversary of the Occupation of Alcatraz - exploring the history and agents of the Occupation as well as the larger history of the Red Power Movement within the context of Native American and American history. A collection of educational resources dealing with Native American history and the arts.

OMA Land Acknowledgement

The Office of Multicultural Affairs would like to acknowledge that the land we live, work, learn and commune on is the original homelands of the Pennacook communities with the Pawtucket Village and Wamesit Village. We acknowledge the painful history of genocide and forced removal from this territory, and we honor and respect the many diverse Indigenous peoples still connected to this land on which we gather. Read more about this on our land acknowledgement page.

International Education Week

When: November 16-November 20

About:
International Education Week (IEW) is a national week created by the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Education that celebrates the benefits of exchange and international education worldwide. All information and events regarding this can be found on the International Student Support page.

Black History Month

When: February

About:
Designated nationally since 1976 in the month of February, Black History Month honors the achievements, history, and ongoing contributions of people across the African diaspora. Its origins trace back to 1926 when historian Carter G. Woodson established a "Negro History Week" to bring dedicated national recognition to Black History. The observance has expanded into a month-long celebration of culture, resilience and education.

Events and Resources

UMass Lowell Libguide - Black History and Resources on Racism in the United States

During the month of February, the UMass Lowell (UML) Library will have a Libguide that highlights ebooks, video and films from the library collection, as well as feature Films on Demand on the history of racism in the United States. View the Black History and Racism resources libguide.

Black History Month Events, Spring 2026

Virtual Black History Museum
February 9, 4-6 p.m.
Meehan Student Center, Room 370
Sponsored by: Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA)

BHM Trivia Table
February 11, 5-7 p.m.
Campus Recreation Center, Lobby
Sponsored by: OMA

Black Jeopardy 
February 19, 7 p.m.
Meehan Student Center, Club Hub
Sponsored by: Black Student Union

Guest Speaker Dr. Harvey Armani Whitfield 
From Slavery in America to Slavery in Canada: Ca. 1760s to 1810.”
February 23, 6:30 p.m.
O’Leary Library, Room 222
Sponsored by: Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Dean's Speaker Series and is co-sponsored by the UMass Lowell History Department & UMass Amherst Slavery North

Masquerade
February 28, 6 p.m.
Moloney Performing Arts Center
Sponsored by:Association of Students of African Origin (ASAO)
Free with UML student ID

In Lowell: Visit the Black History Trail Markers 

Virtual Field Trips

Here are some third party virtual field trips you can take to get some more information about this heritage month!

Women's History Month

When: March

About:
Women's History Month started in 1987. It celebrates the vital contributions and accomplishments of women throughout history and modern society. It align with International Women's Day on March 8th, a global day dedicated to celebrating women's social economic, cultural, and political achievement while advocating gender equality.



Events and Resources

Check back later for Spring 2027 events.

Virtual Field Trips

Here are some third party virtual field trips you can take to get some more information about this heritage month!

  • National Women's History Museum Online Exhibits - This Women's Museum offers many different online exhibits for people to explore such as Outdoor Adventures, Standing up for Change, the Women of NASA, Breaking In: Women in STEM and many other things as well! They also offer bookings done via Zoom about different topics such as Women Pioneers of Computer Programming, Katherine Johnson and the Mathematics of the Space Race The Second Wave of Feminism: The Lavender Menace and many more.

Resources