MSXA: Inspiring Cultural Representation and Awareness

Monse Hernandez-Gonzalez (left) and Karolina De-Jesus (right) said they were inspired to start MSXA because the growing population of Mexican students at Ohio State created an urgency to promote the education and awareness of Mexican culture. Credit: Amani Bayo

Bringing Mexican culture to Ohio State, MSXA is a new student organization specifically tailored to reunite students to their roots and promote the education of Mexican history, tradition and culture.

Monse Hernandez-Gonzalez, a third year in finance and international business and co-president of MSXA said she helped establish this organization after realizing Ohio State lacked an organization specific to Mexican culture. 

“We started because we wanted to bring Mexiso to OSU,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez said the already existing Latine Student Association is composed of a majority of students who identify as Mexican. Knowing this, she said her and her friends, including Karolina De-Jesus, a third year in business and treasure of MSXA decided it was important to open a space for this group.

“We have a Puerto Rican Student Association, we have LSA, there's the Peru Student Association, Brazil and I was like ‘Where's the Mexican one?’” De-Jesus said.

Just getting started this semester, Hernandez said MSXA plans to not only host social events to bring students together, but will also offer mentorship programs to help students improve their Spanish.

“We will be pairing a native Spanish speaker to somebody that doesn't feel comfortable with it so they can help each other,” Hernendez said.

De-Jesus said although she is Puerto Rican she was excited to join MSXA’s executive board because of the importance of fostering pride in Mexico at Ohio State. De-Jesus said MSXA  is open to all students interested in learning about Mexican culture.

“You don't have to be Mexican to be part of this, the Hispanic community were all brothers and sisters,” De-Jesus said.