By Valentina Toro
Features Editor
Music and movement filled the Adanti Student Center Ballroom as students gathered on April 7 for Salsa con Salsa, a beginner-friendly event hosted by the Organization of Latin American Students and Programs Council.
The event welcomed all students to participate in a guided salsa lesson followed by a buildyour-own taco bar.
“I hope that students take away a few dance moves, and I hope they take away as well knowing that there’s a space for everyone on this campus,” biology major Melany Villavicencio, a junior and president of OLAS, said.
Salsa con Salsa blended dance, food and cultural expression.
The event created an environment where cultural appreciation and social connection came together in an interactive setting.
Organizers said the goal is to make cultural expression accessible to everyone regardless of background or experience.
“I’m so grateful that this campus allows organizations like OLAS and ProCon and other diverse clubs, and I hope that we just continue to grow altogether,” Villavicencio said.
The collaboration between OLAS and ProCon was designed to expand outreach and bring more students into spaces centered around culture and inclusion.
By partnering with one of the largest programming organizations on campus, OLAS aimed to make the event more visible and accessible to students who may not typically attend cultural events.
Organizers said the event also served as a way to introduce students to Latin American traditions beyond common stereotypes, using dance as a form of storytelling and connection.
Salsa, a dance rooted in Latin culture, provided a way for participants to engage physically while learning about its cultural significance.
“It’s a great way for people to get the authentic experience,” biology major Craig Huydic, a senior, said. “It gives that authenticity to the students that require it.”
In addition to celebrating culture, organizers emphasized the importance of hosting events like this during a time when conversations around identity and belonging remain especially relevant.
Creating inclusive environment on campus, Huydic said, allows students to feel seen and supported while also educating others.
“In the state of the world right now, I think it’s incredibly important for people to get all sides of every person,” Huydic said. “ Especially during this time when people might feel like they need to hide it, it’s one of our jobs to help people know that they can express it.”
Events like Salsa con Salsa reflect OLAS’ broader mission to build community on campus while sharing Latin American culture in meaningful ways.
Through programming that highlights traditions such as dance, food and storytelling, the organization works to create spaces where students can both celebrate their identities and learn from one another.
For many attendees, the event also offered an opportunity to step outside of their comfort zones and learn more about different cultures and traditions.
Students with little to no experience in salsa were encouraged to join in, creating a welcoming and judgment-free atmosphere on the dance floor.
“It’s a way for all students to come together,” Huydic said. “Salsa may be rooted in specific cultures, but it invites everyone in and creates a space where people can learn from each other and feel like they belong.”
