Last week marked the beginning of Hispanic Heritage month, and, in celebration, Inclusiveness and Intercultural Services is bringing a pop-culture leader in the Hispanic community to campus.Peter Mellado, editor in chief of a lifestyle publication for collegiate Latinos, REGO Magazine, will speak on campus today and Thursday.

“I was contacted by a student who saw me on the television show Latin Nation,” Mellado said. “I am very excited about attending this event. I want students to know that this is a month of celebration, not just for Hispanics, but it is a time for us all to celebrate our culture.”

Being a Hispanic means being American while holding your roots, Mellado said. He said it is important to teach Hispanic-Americans how to bridge the gap between cultures while still holding on to their own.

Mellado is a San Jose State University alumnus and past president and national board member of the Latino fraternity Sigma Lambda Beta.

REGO Magazine hires Sigma Lambda Beta members as some of their writers and freelancers, Mellado said.

“In dealing with Latino Greek culture, I saw that future Latino leaders must be leaders within their own community,” Mellado said. On Wednesday, Mellado will speak to faculty and staff in the Dee J. Kelly Alumni Center at noon and he will speak to students Thursday in the Student Center lounge at 5 p.m.

“Mellado will talk about the ways Hispanic students can apply this semester’s theme of rights, responsibility and respect to their lives,” said Greg Trevino, the director of Inclusiveness and Intercultural Services.

Mellado will share the story of his journey to becoming REGO Magazine’s editor in chief.

“My family has been in the magazine business for sometime and that is why I created a magazine geared toward the mainstream Hispanic culture,” Mellado said. “The magazine is geared toward addressing Hispanic pop-culture, fashion and music.”

Mellado’s visit is the first in a series of speakers for Inclusiveness and Intercultural Services’ monthly Diversity Luncheons.

“It will be very informative for students,” said Brittany Richards, a musical theater major. “It never hurts to see people’s point of view on different issues of life.