This week, Her Campus TAMU was able to catch up with the president of the Hispanic President’s Council (HPC), Adam Brennan! Adam is an industrial distribution business major, class of 2017. He is committed to getting the Hispanic/Latinx community and other minority groups more involved on Texas A&M’s campus by helping them find their voice and be more represented.
Her Campus TAMU: What is HPC?
Adam B: HPC is an organization dedicated to uniting the voice of the Hispanic/Latinx community at Texas A&M. Some of the ways we do that is by coordinating the Hispanic Heritage Month calendar with other organizations and departments that are interested in putting on an event during that time. We also host events such as Bienvenidos A Aggieland (an open house for the Hispanic/Latinx organizations so that incoming students can get involved), Fusion Fiesta, a Spanish oriented Family Weekend Event, and the HPC Olympics (a field day with Hispanic/Latinx organizations to build camaraderie and network).
Her Campus TAMU: Why did you choose to get involved in HPC?
Adam B: I originally chose to get involved in HPC because I wanted to get involved in the Hispanic/Latinx community. That community has and continues to give me so much that I feel like that it is my duty to give all that I can to help other Aggies that are Hispanic/Latinx.
Her Campus TAMU: Why do you think it’s important to have organizations like HPC available to students on campus?
Adam B: It’s important because students need to have a voice on what goes on at the campus they attend. Being involved in different initiatives that help represent the Hispanic/Latinx communities with administrators is important so that their perspective is felt when the University is making future plans. Furthermore, HPC helps provide a home for many students by putting on different events. Seeing students laugh and enjoy themselves at events because it feels like home is an incredibly important service that makes many students feel less homesick.
Her Campus TAMU: How has this organization impacted your life?
Adam B: First and foremost, it has helped me become a better leader. By working with different organizations, coordinating different events, and interacting with unique personalities, I have learned what it takes to do amazing things. HPC helped me realize that I want to do this type of work someday so that I can help impact communities.
Her Campus TAMU: Tell us more about the event HPC hosted a few weeks ago, Fusion Fiesta.
Adam B: It was a huge cultural celebration where people from all over campus came to Rudder Plaza to have fun, share their culture, and meet new people. Every year, there is a variety of food and performances so that people can learn about different culture present at Texas A&M. It is one of my favorite events that gets put on at Texas A&M.
Her Campus TAMU: What other organizations have you been involved with?
Adam B: My freshman year at Texas A&M, a friend and I started the National Hispanic Institute at Texas A&M, a leadership organization dedicated to developing leaders for a multicultural world. Also, during my freshman year, I helped successfully petition the University to add a Latinx/Mexican American Studies minor. Additionally, I have been involved with student senate and speaking to other orgs to run for student senate so that they can represent their communities.
Her Campus TAMU: Do you have any other plans in the works?
Adam B: Yes, right now I am working on my biggest initiative yet. Last year, I spoke to four Hispanic/Latinx organizations to recruit students for student senate. I got 10 people to run and three people elected. This year, I plan on doing the same thing except my goal is to get 30 students across all different minority groups. The Hispanic/Latinx community is not the only community that has not been properly represented. Getting more Black, Asian, and women students to run for student senate so that they can represent their community would be a dream of mine. I believe that it is important that your voice be heard, and oftentimes people don’t know how to speak out. Helping people find their voice is a huge passion of mine—a passion that I hope to never stop pursuing.