The Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus has named Jonathan Montalvo Román a recipient of the 2026 Hispanic Heritage Month Unity Award. The award recognizes individuals and organizations that empower others, advocate for those in need and foster a more inclusive and accepting world. 

Montalvo Román coordinates the Latine Student Development Program within Towson University’s Center for Student Diversity. Since starting the role in 2025, he’s developed programs and events to foster belonging, growth and academic success among TU’s Latine community. He established mentorship pipelines for students, launched a Latine Resource Fair to connect students to support tools across the region and supported the creation of an online hub bringing together events, resources and storytelling for the community.

Montalvo Román also teaches Spanish in TU’s professional Spanish graduate certificate program.

He will receive the award at the caucus’s annual Hispanic Heritage Month Gala on Oct. 14.