My Lehman College Hispanic-American history students reflect on what they have learned:

Spring semester, 2025

Esther Navarro: "This semester helped me uncover pieces of my history and identity that I did not know I was missing. Hispanic history is American history, and the more I have learned, the more I realize how much we have contributed to every part of this country, from its earliest maps and missions to its monuments and neighborhoods. These stories gave me not only pride but purpose to help others learn. A sincere thank you, Professor Perez, for creating this journey and curating such meaningful readings and reflections. Your guidance has helped me see my culture in a new light and has made me more appreciative of the depth, beauty, and resilience of Hispanic heritage."

Eliezer Cabrera: "One of the most impactful classes I have had throughout my college career is this class . . .  I had no idea that I was going to learn so much.” 

Ana Jimenez: "Reading Hidden Hispanic Heritage by Miguel Pérez has been an eye-opening journey that has led me to reflect deeply on the hidden, yet crucial, role that Latinos have played in the formation and development of this country. I loved seeing how the professor dedicated himself to providing a deep understanding of our Hispanic history through his travels."

Jaileen Vargas: "Professor Pérez’s class has not only educated me, it has empowered me to seek out and honor the hidden histories around me. I now understand that Hispanic heritage is not a side note in American history, it is a central chapter that deserves to be remembered, celebrated, and taught."

Junior Hernandez: "This course has transformed my understanding of my identity and America’s history. I now see my Mexican-American heritage as part of a broader, vibrant legacy that includes explorers, jurists, and advocates. These narratives are not just history; they are my story. Moving forward, I am committed to ensuring Hispanic heritage is recognized and celebrated, starting with my own voice and actions."

Kathy Hernandez: "This whole semester, I didn't expect the curriculum to be structured the way Professor Perez made it, but I’m very glad he made it this way. The semester was more creative and more interactive with my fellow peers. Even though it was completely online, it was wonderful to be a part of this hidden Hispanic heritage road trip and to be shown so many fantastic and new places that I hope to one day visit myself in person. I hope the next class enjoys this as much as I have!"

My Lehman College Hispanic-American History students reflect on what they have learned:

Spring semester, 2020
PictureJasmine Gonzalez
"Coming in contact with the hidden Hispanic heritage that is not recorded in American History books has been one of the most fulfilling and eye opening experiences in my academic career . . . This journey that Professor Pérez has taken our class on is one that I am grateful for and has provided me with the passion to spread the word about REAL history.  The next group of student that enrolls in this course need to buckle up and prepare for the ride of their lives!"
PictureAmberly Castillo
"We are lucky because we were able to break from our ignorance on Hispanic history within the United States. The articles were not short blurbs, boring textbook pages, and were not generalized like most museums present Hispanic history. ​This class gave us the opportunity to read first hand Hispanic history and showed us a neutral perspective on conquistadors (which I never thought I could gain). From Cabeza de Vaca to Chicano park, we were educated on Hispanic history we might not have even heard of, if it hadn't been for this class. I was able to see history in a different perspective, and I felt proud."
PictureDayanne Rodriguez
"We (Hispanics) were not brutes that just came here to take over and kill anyone in our way, we instead worked side by side with the natives and built missions so that we showed the natives easier ways to live. It was because of the Black Legend that today we still face backlash from other ignorant people. Whenever someone tells me, "this is America, speak english." I will reply with, "this is America, learn your history." . . . I am super happy that there's someone out there like the professor who's so passionate about his Hispanic heritage he has gone above and beyond to actually keep our hispanidad alive. I am today proud to say I had the honor to be his student."
PictureStephanie Pérez
"I'm so happy that Professor Pérez took the time to put this course together with his own textbook and his own proof such as his photos because people need to be educated about our country and our heritage the correct way not just what some old textbook says. Overall, I would say this has been one of the best history courses I have ever taken, I would advise everyone to take this."
PictureJennifer Madrid
"This is one of the few classes that I have felt that whatever I have learned, I can easily share it with those around me. Being a first-generation Salvadoran-American student, I can wholeheartedly say I have gotten so much out of this course to the point that it has even made me more confident in my own Hispanic identity. The material that Professor Perez presented so intelligibly made it very easy to catch on that Hispanic heritage in this country goes beyond what most would believe."
 PictureCarolyn Lluesma
"Professor Pérez takes us on a journey and for a lover of travel and exploration; this course gave me all the feels. I was left in awe so many times at how up close and personal he got and how authentic his material was. I feel honored to experience a professor as devoted and compassionate as him. I was never bored with these chapters and the pictures were stunning and detailed."
PictureChantel Castillo
"The weekly readings were great because I felt as if I went on the tour with professor Pérez. I loved the visuals that accompanied each chapter because it allowed me to see what the professor was talking about and as a guide to visit many places. I can honestly say many of the things learned in this course I never learned when I took U.S. History like about the Black Legend or how Spain was an ally to the United States in beating Great Britain during the Revolutionary War."
PictureReny Marinez
"The contribution that was most shocking to me is that Hispanics contributed in the American Revolution and still, Hispanics do not get to feel proud of that because, we don’t know. Many of us take El Més de la Herencia Hispana as a time to party, but trust me, the greatest party is when you stimulate your brain so that you are ready to correct those . . . who say we don’t belong in this country, that we are foreigners, that Hispanic is a race, that we have no ties to the U.S., that Spanish didn’t come here before the English. Overall, I love this class and I hope to share what I learn with my family, friends and perhaps strangers. I hope this class is taught in the future because Lehman students will only gain. A big thank you Prof. Pérez."
PictureJannette Medina
"I was filled with pride when learning about everything from grand churches and missions, to the murals under a bridge in California . . . I already try to educate my children and family about everything that I have discovered and learned in this class; I will try and continue to educate whomever will listen on the history of Hispanic Heritage. I am glad to have had this opportunity and tour across the country with you in discovering hidden Hispanic heritage."
PictureBrenda Martinez
"This course has been the first time I have ever heard of the Black Legend. Why tell our Hispanic history in lies to make the explorers look bad as savages with no remorse, when in fact all the Europeans did the same thing? . . . I learned about many great Spanish explorers in this course such as Cabeza De Vaca, Juan Ponce de Leon, Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, Hernando De Soto, Estevan Gomez, and many more that didn’t get credit for their accomplishments or discoveries here . . . The Black Legend has made it so hard for Our Spanish History to be represented that in schools we never hear about any Spanish history . . . This course has been nothing but an eyeopener in many levels. I myself have shared the website Hidden Hispanic Heritage by Prof. Pérez with many of my friends and family members. This site teaches us so much History about our ancestors that We Hispanics from any ethnicity can be proud of. I am grateful I took this course and I would recommend this course for others -- to enlighten them about the truth of our history.

My Hispanic American History students
speak out at the end of a semester:
Meet my army of historians!
​´Conoce a mi ejercito de historiadores!
Today (5/10/19) was the last day of the semester for my Hispanic-American History students at Lehman College. While their work is done, I still have to read, edit and grade their essays for our Hispanic American History Timeline. Many of their essays, after further polishing, will be published on our website within the next few weeks. With about 30 students per semester, I’m building a small army of Hispanic historians, young Americans who will make sure that the amazing history of Hispanic contributions to this great nation will no longer be hidden. I’m very proud of them!
Hoy (5/10/19) fue el último día del semestre para mis estudiantes de historia hispano-americana en Lehman College. Mientras que su trabajo está terminado, todavía yo tengo que leer, editar y calificar sus ensayos para nuestra cronología de la historia hispanoamericana. Muchos de sus ensayos, después de un pulido adicional, se publicarán en nuestro sitio web en las próximas semanas. Con aproximadamente 30 estudiantes por semestre, estoy formando un pequeño ejército de historiadores hispanos, jóvenes estadounidenses que se asegurarán de que la increíble historia de las contribuciones hispanas a esta gran nación ya no se oculte. ´Estoy muy orgulloso de ellos!

'Roots of Our Hispanic Heritage' Class
Celebrates the End of the Semester

Fall semester, 2018
Last class of the semester (today 11/14/18) with about half of my Hispanic-American History students at Lehman College. The semester is over for them, but I still have their 35 finals (essays) to read and grade during the next week. I'm very proud of this group. Their involvement in the class, and the topics we were discussing, constantly showed me that they were inheriting my passion for unearthing and exposing America's Hispanic roots. What more could I ask for? I'm forming an army of Hispanic historians! LOL Today, after having read so many of my Hispanic American history articles, they gave me some great advice on how I should focus my upcoming books! Gracias!​
La última clase del semestre (hoy 11/14/18) con casi la mitad de mis estudiantes de historia hispano-americana en Lehman College. El semestre ha terminado para ellos, pero todavía tengo sus 35 finales (ensayos) para leer y calificar durante la próxima semana. Estoy muy orgulloso de este grupo. Su participación en la clase, y los temas que discutíamos, me mostraban constantemente que heredaban mi pasión por descubrir y exponer las raíces hispanas de los Estados Unidos. ™Qué más puedo pedir? ¡Estoy formando un ejército de historiadores hispanos! LOL Hoy, después de haber leído tantos de mis artículos de historia hispanoamericana, me dieron buenos consejos sobre cómo debería enfocar mis próximos libros! Gracias!
While I have received wonderful feedback from many of my journalism students over the past 11 years at Lehman College, including many who are now professional journalists and still keep in touch with me, yesterday’s last meeting of my “Roots of Our Hispanic Heritage” course was truly extraordinary.

​My students went out of their way to show me how much they appreciate what they have learned, expressing
sentiments that nearly brought me to tears on several occasions. They brought in a wide variety of Latin American food to share with their classmates, and they brought me a cake that said, “Thank You, Prof. Pérez.” They gave me a cupcake marked “A+”.