“As an academic, my relationship is going out in the name of �鶹��Ƶ, even though I speak for myself,” said Balderas. “I’m always saying, ‘Here at �鶹��Ƶ, we don’t make small plans. We’re always thinking bigger, and because we are a national school, what would help us to continue to be a national school?’ To me, my responsibility as an academic is to get my name out there.”

For Balderas, that work is closely connected to the sense of belonging he has found at �鶹��Ƶ and the university’s teacher-scholar-mentor model. At the center of it all are his students.

“When my students leave, and the class is over, I say, ‘Love you. Mean it.’ And we throw the word love around a lot,” Balderas said. “But, to me, as a teacher, I think love from a teacher to a student is this idea, and it’s my ‘why.’ My ‘why’ is that I’m passionate about teaching students how to find their passion in a world that is out of control.”

The newsroom to the classroom

Balderas began his journalism career as a freelance reporter and producer for several outlets in Washington, D.C. His coverage of the 2000 presidential election helped spur an interest in legal studies, as did a friendly competition with his sister over who could earn the higher score on the LSAT.

Growing up in a single-parent Hispanic household, Balderas said education was “non-negotiable.” He went on to earn his Juris Doctor from the Catholic University of America while working as a producer at FOX News Channel.

In the years that followed, Balderas worked for television stations across Florida, North Carolina and Texas. His work earned multiple industry accolades, including an Emmy for Best Continuing Coverage and recognition from the Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas as best TV news anchor.

My ‘why’ is that I’m passionate about teaching students how to find their passion in a world that is out of control.

-Israel Balderas, assistant professor of journalism

Alongside his journalism career, Balderas took on legal work for the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law, We The Action and the Society of Professional Journalists. His pro bono work included representing migrant children at the U.S.-Mexico border and helping nonprofits navigate financial aid during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2017, Balderas left television news to spend more time with his family and transitioned to higher education, first teaching at a university in West Palm Beach, Florida, before joining �鶹��Ƶ’s faculty in 2021.

“I love the mission of �鶹��Ƶ,” Balderas said. “The mission of �鶹��Ƶ is that it ‘embraces its founder’s vision of an academic community that transforms mind, body, and spirit and encourages freedom of thought and liberty of conscience.’ And I said during my interview, that’s what a First Amendment professor teaches. That’s it.”

Journalism major Lily Molina ’27 took Balderas’ Media Law & Ethics course and says having a Latino professor in the journalism department made her feel welcomed as an aspiring Latina journalist.

“I am really passionate about covering stories centered around my community, and Balderas has supported me in doing that. It’s comforting to have someone who I can speak Spanish to and not feel judged,” she said. “This is just one of the reasons why having diversity within departments is so important.”

Celebrating the beauty of diversity

A self-described “Texan American with a Mexican heart,” Balderas views Hispanic Heritage Month through the lens of the cultures that have shaped the United States.

“It’s about celebrating many cultures who have been able to adapt their cultures to this idea of ‘American citizen,’” he said. “What I love about Hispanic Heritage Month is that we get to show off the beauty of our diversity in a society that is diverse.”

Balderas describes that blending of cultures as a “stew,” one he sees reflected regularly on �鶹��Ƶ’s campus. He points to El Centro, a space within the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education that celebrates Latine and Hispanic cultures while sharing them with the broader �鶹��Ƶ community.

“Every time I go to El Centro, there are kids from all over, and they’re all happy, and they’re ready to tell us about their abuelita (grandmother), they’re ready to tell us about their family,” Balderas said. “They’re ready to tell us about the history of their country. And in sharing all that, we get to build community together.”

�鶹��Ƶ honors Hispanic Heritage Month

As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, �鶹��Ƶ is sharing stories that celebrate the contributions, identities and experiences of students, faculty and staff. This month recognizes the rich histories and cultures of Hispanic and Latine communities, while also honoring the ways these traditions connect with and inspire people of all backgrounds. This month provides a special opportunity to honor Hispanic and Latine heritage, but it also serves as an invitation for all members of the university to engage, learn and celebrate together.

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When Sylvia Muñoz, current director of the Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education (CREDE), first arrived at �鶹��Ƶ from Costa Rica in spring of 1998, she may have been considered “the one percent” of university staff that were Latinx. The Multicultural Center (now CREDE) was still four years away from its inception, there was no Core Curriculum language requirement, and there were no formal celebrations for Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM).

It was the idea of then-university President Fred J. Young to create a place for students to immerse themselves in Hispanic culture and language. He recruited Muñoz to lead it, and El Centro was created. What started out of a small office in Moseley Center, organizing programming such as conversation classes and supported by Muñoz cooking for students in her home has since grown into an expansive student center that is headquartered on the first floor of the Carlton building with its own living space and kitchen.

El Centro continues to provide space for the �鶹��Ƶ community to learn about Latinx cultures and the opportunity to practice Spanish at conversation classes. While it offers programming throughout the year, there is a particular emphasis on recognizing HHM, which �鶹��Ƶ celebrates from Sept. 15 through Oct. 24. Some events this year were the HHM Kick-Off Festival, Noche Latina and Café con Leche with Friends.

Though HHM has been recognized in the US since 1988, it was not celebrated at �鶹��Ƶ until the early 2000s, in the early days of El Centro. According to Muñoz, the HHM Kick-Off, a vibrant start to the month with foods and music from various Hispanic cultures, and the Perspectivas panel, a deliberate dialogue on Latinx identity in collaboration with the Kernodle Center for Civic Life, are two of the longest-running events.

�鶹��Ƶ’s celebration of HHM will conclude on Friday with the ninth annual Gala Latina, an event featuring Hispanic food, music, and a celebration of Latinx achievement. On the origin of Gala Latina, Muñoz said she wanted to create a space to “celebrate not just the people who identify as Latinx-Hispanic but also … those folks that research, that uplift, that celebrate the identity as well.”

Each year awards are given at the gala celebrating the academic excellence, leadership, service, and art of students, as well as staff who promote the visibility of and support the Latinx community.

“One of the nice aspects about Gala Latina is that yes, it centers the Latinx-Hispanic identity and culture, but it’s open to anybody,” said��Muñoz. “All of our programs are open to anybody who wants to attend and anybody who wants to learn about these identities.”

In terms of expanding HHM programming, Muñoz said, “I always believe that it’s not about quantity. It’s about going deeper into the programs that we have.” She emphasized the importance of ensuring that each program, even if it is a “fun cultural celebration,” is educational.

“It’s the one community that keeps on growing,” Muñoz said of the Latinx community at �鶹��Ƶ, which at 7.2% of the undergraduate population is the largest minority group at the school. “As they continue to grow, they continue to bring a different type of diversity that we all need to learn about. I learn from students all the time. I think that’s the beauty of any identity.”

Gala Latina will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24 on the second floor of LaRose Commons. Attire is semi-formal.

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“I’ve made my own family here at �鶹��Ƶ.”

As president of �鶹��Ƶ’s Latinx Hispanic Union (LHU), Edward Hernandez ’27 can easily describe the purpose he’s discovered in fostering community across campus and in the surrounding communities where he was raised.

“Whether it’s my LHU family, my El Centro team, or my Odyssey cohort, those connections feel like home,” said the double major in marketing and business analytics from Burlington, N.C. They’re also the foundation of a legacy he hopes to leave for future Hispanic and Latinx students.

Roots of Legacy

Hernandez’s legacy begins with the blending of two identities. As the son of a Mexican mother and Salvadoran father, he grew up surrounded by traditions that emphasized the value of family and community.

His most cherished memories are Christmas Eve gatherings with more than 60 relatives, opening presents at midnight and celebrating until morning.

“Every year, we’d drive down to Florida to see my grandparents. Christmas Eve was always the biggest gathering,” Hernandez said. “Those are some of my favorite memories, just being surrounded by family and celebrating together.”

These traditions shaped Hernandez’s understanding of belonging, a value he now carries with him through his college experience.

Cultivating Community at �鶹��Ƶ

Hernandez was first introduced to �鶹��Ƶ through the “It Takes a Village” Project, but it was �鶹��Ƶ Academy, the university’s college access and success program for academically promising high school students from families with little or no history of college, that truly showed him college was within reach.

“�鶹��Ƶ Academy was the biggest help for me,” he said, “It showed me what college could be and [that it] was attainable.”

After choosing to attend �鶹��Ƶ, the recipient of the Douglas and Edna Truitt Noiles ’44 Scholarship in the Odyssey Program found spaces like El Centro and LHU to celebrate his heritage. He progressed from visitor to student coordinator at El Centro, helping to host programs such as Perspectivas, where the Hispanic and Latinx community shared their experiences.

“Last year, my department hosted a panel on machismo,” he said. “It was powerful to hear how different people grew up with those cultural norms and how our generation is pushing to move away from them.”

His involvement with LHU grew just as quickly. By the spring of his first year, he was on the executive board, later serving as treasurer, vice president, and now president.

Inspiring the next generation

Mentorship has become one of the most meaningful ways Hernandez carries his values forward. Hernandez is both a College Access Success Team (CAT) mentor and summer mentor with �鶹��Ƶ Academy, where he offers the same encouragement he once received as a scholar.

“The mentors I had there made such a difference in my life, and that’s why I now give back as a CAT mentor and summer mentor because the program gave me so much,” he said.

He also volunteers weekly with the Dream Center in Burlington, supporting primarily Hispanic and Latinx students through its SPIN program, which provides academic assistance, mentorship and community engagement.

“We act as mentors, but also as older siblings, playing games and helping out,” Hernandez said.

Together, these experiences reflect the core of his impact: inspiring younger students to lead, give back and see themselves as part of a thriving community.

Shaping the future

Hernandez sees his legacy not in recognition but in impact, a truth underscored when students he mentored through �鶹��Ƶ Academy enrolled at �鶹��Ƶ.

“It was really a full circle moment. The scholars that I mentored during the summer going into my sophomore year are now here at �鶹��Ƶ,” he said. “Seeing them join and even ask me about LHU or El Centro shows me that my work is making a difference.”

Looking ahead, Hernandez hopes to carry his values of family and community into a career in marketing and business analytics, advocating for more inclusive practices and challenging stereotypes.

“A lot of the time, marketing uses very harsh stereotypes of people,” Hernandez said. “I think there can definitely be changes. Whenever people market or design campaigns, the voices of different cultures need to be in the room so communities aren’t stereotyped.”

More than a story

In the end, Hernandez’s vision of legacy is simple: giving back, community and family — both the one he was born into and the one he created at �鶹��Ƶ. His story also reflects this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month theme, “Más Que Una Historia: Living Our Legacy,” as he honors the traditions that shaped him while inspiring future generations.

“It really feels good to see that I am making a difference,” he said. “My hope is that the students I’ve helped will do even more than I did at �鶹��Ƶ and continue to make a difference here.”

�鶹��Ƶ honors Hispanic Heritage Month

As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, �鶹��Ƶ is sharing stories that celebrate the contributions, identities and experiences of students, faculty and staff. This month recognizes the rich histories and cultures of Hispanic and Latinx communities, while also honoring the ways these traditions connect with and inspire people of all backgrounds. This month provides a special opportunity to honor Hispanic and Latinx heritage, but it also serves as an invitation for all members of the university to engage, learn and celebrate together.

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The fall 2025 semester is in full swing at �鶹��Ƶ with events across campus, including celebrations for Hispanic Heritage Month and Family Weekend.

View some of the most impactful moments of the past month through the eyes of staff in the Office of University Communications.

Marking history

�鶹��Ƶ unveiled a new historical marker Under the Oaks, next to Schar Hall, as��a symbol of the continued connection and relationship between �鶹��Ƶ and the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation Tribe.

Getting organized

Students came together on Sept. 17, 2025 for the Fall Organization Fair, a time for the �鶹��Ƶ community to showcase different clubs and organizations across campus.

A Common Reading conversation

Award-winning author Alejandra Campoverdi turned the 2025-26 Common Reading Lecture into a conversation, taking questions from �鶹��Ƶ students about her life of “extreme contradictions” detailed in her memoir “First-Gen.”

Acorn Academy

Acorn Academy at �鶹��Ƶ officially celebrated its opening with a ribbon-cutting on Sept.18, 2025. The on-site child care and early learning facility opened in August with full enrollment of children from infancy to 2 years old whose parents are members of the �鶹��Ƶ community, with plans to expand capacity and age groups in early 2026.

Hispanic Heritage Month

�鶹��Ƶ kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month with a festival on Sept. 19, 2025.

Lessons from Ledecky

Fourteen-time Olympic medalist Katie Ledecky delivered the 2025 Fall Convocation address in Schar Center on Sept. 26, 2025. Before the event, Ledecky met with �鶹��Ƶ student-athletes to answer their questions about her career and training.

Phoenix Families

�鶹��Ƶ hosted Family Weekend from Sept. 26-28 with a variety of events including Fall Convocation ���Ի���a home football game��against Hampton University.

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Like many �鶹��Ƶ students, Lilliana Molina ’27 is incredibly involved on campus. She teaches Spanish conversation classes in El Centro, works in the Gear Room in the School of Communications, reports for �鶹��Ƶ News Network and mentors students in the Odyssey Program.

This summer, Molina added another accomplishment: she spent three weeks in Costa Rica investigating illegal hammerhead shark fishing as part of the 2025 Pulitzer Center Reporting Fellowship.

While reporting was the highlight, the experience also gave Molina the chance to reconnect with what she calls her “second home.” Growing up, she often spent summers in Costa Rica with her grandparents. Returning there to work on a story close to her heart made the fellowship especially meaningful.

“I came up with my pitch during my first-year,” Molina explained.

She spent six months prepping for the story, including three months before knowing she received the fellowship.

“I came up with my pitch my first year,” Molina said. She spent six months preparing, including three months before she officially learned she had received the fellowship.

Her assignment took her far out of her comfort zone as Molina spent three days on the ocean, which challenged her as a self-described “indoorsy” person.

“If I can do that, I can pass this quiz. I can do anything,” she remembered thinking while on the boat. The experience, she said, gave her confidence and perseverance that no classroom lesson could have matched.

Mentorship Matters

After returning from Costa Rica, Molina jumped back into campus life during Odyssey Week. As a scholar in the Odyssey Program, through the Edward W. and Joan K. Doherty Odyssey Scholarship, she served as a mentor for incoming students, helping them prepare for their first year at �鶹��Ƶ.

“I wouldn’t be here without it, so I want to pay it forward,” she said. “It’s my way of saying thank you and dedicating two weeks of my summer.”

Mentorship, Molina said, is an essential part of her �鶹��Ƶ journey. The university fosters a relationship-rich environment where peer and faculty mentorship are equally valued.

“There’s no point in doing what I do—getting the Pulitzer fellowship, writing these articles, all of these accomplishments—if I can’t turn around and extend my hand to the next person, bring them up and give them advice,” Molina said.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage

When choosing �鶹��Ƶ, one of Molina’s biggest deciding factors was El Centro, the university’s center for Latinx and Hispanic communities.

“I go there as much as I can, and I just love being in that space,” she said. While she often teaches Spanish there, El Centro also provides community and connection.

El Centro plays a key role in organizing events during Hispanic Heritage Month, showcasing diverse Hispanic identities throughout September and October. From the kickoff celebration on Medallion Plaza with music, dance and food, to the closing Gala Latina, the month highlights culture and community.

For Molina, the celebration is about more than events—it’s about honoring identity.

“It’s about being proud of our identity and showcasing that identity,” she said. “To have that recognition for many of our students whose parents are immigrants and have given so much for them to be here—that is important.”

�鶹��Ƶ honors Hispanic Heritage Month

As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, �鶹��Ƶ is sharing stories that celebrate the contributions, identities and experiences of students, faculty and staff. This month recognizes the rich histories and cultures of Hispanic and Latinx communities, while also honoring the ways these traditions connect with and inspire people of all backgrounds. This month provides a special opportunity to honor Hispanic and Latinx heritage, but it also serves as an invitation for all members of the university to engage, learn and celebrate together.

President Ronald Reagan signed the law changing Hispanic Heritage Week to Hispanic Heritage Month on August 17, 1988. Americans now observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept.15th to Oct. 15th. Many Latin American nations including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua share their independence anniversaries on Sept. 15, making it the perfect start for Hispanic Heritage Month. Mexico and Chile also share their independence on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18.

This anticipated celebration, not only shines a spotlight on the richness, history and triumphs of the Latinx/Hispanic community, also allows the �鶹��Ƶ Community to acknowledge the struggles and individualized stories of the community.

Hispanic Heritage Month 2025 events at �鶹��Ƶ

Paletas En El Patio

Monday, Sept. 15 | Outside of Mosely Kitchen | 4:30 p.m.

Come learn more about the Latinx-Hispanic Union, and their signature event, La Habana, while enjoying yummy paletas.

Hispanic Heritage Month Book Display

Sept. 15th – October 5th, 2025 | Belk Library��

Come check out books written by Latinx/Hispanic authors, as well as audiobooks on the Libby app.

�鶹��Ƶ Common Reading Lecture with Alejandra Campoverdi

Thursday, Sept. 18 | Alumni Gym, Koury Athletic Center | 7 p.m.

Alejandra Campoverdi is a nationally recognized advocate for educational opportunity and women’s health, a bestselling author, founder and former White House aide to President Barack Obama. Her book, “FIRST GEN” won the Dolores Huerta Award from the International Latino Book Awards, which also named Campoverdi its 2024 Rising Star in Nonfiction. In 2024, Campoverdi founded the First Gen Fund, a nonprofit that provides hardship grants to first-gen students. She produced the groundbreaking PBS health documentary “Inheritance” and founded the LATINOS & BRCA awareness initiative in partnership with Penn Medicine’s Basser Center for BRCA. Previously, Campoverdi served in the Obama White House as deputy director of Hispanic media.

are $15 or free with an �鶹��Ƶ ID.

Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-Off Festival

Friday, Sept.19 | Medallion Plaza, Lakeside area | 5:30 p.m.

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to recognize and honor the rich histories, cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities in the United States.

This celebration highlights the diverse cultural traditions, achievements and lasting impact of Hispanic and Latinx individuals across various fields, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of their vital role in shaping American society. We will have food, vendors and performances!

La Habana

Friday, Sept. 19 | Taphouse | 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.

The Latinx-Hispanic Union is throwing their semesterly dance party with great Latinx music and free food!

Noche Latina

Tuesday, Sept. 30 | �鶹��Ƶ Soccer Field | 7 p.m.

An afternoon of fun, music and soccer as we cheer on �鶹��Ƶ’s Soccer Team. Announcements are made in both English and Spanish.

Cafe con Leche with Friends

Thursday, Oct. 2nd | Irazu Coffee Shop | 5:30 – 7 p.m.��

A night of karaoke with LHU, First Gen and El Centro! There will be food and lots of music!

Graduate Ice Cream Social

Thursday, Oct. 2nd | Legends Ice Cream & Churros (4925 W Market St STE 1100, Greensboro)| 6 – 8 p.m.��

Have fun for a night of ice cream and socializing with other Latinx/Hispanic graduate students.

Vamos a La Cocina

Wednesday, Oct. 8 | El Centro Kitchen | 3:30 p.m.

This is El CEntro’s hands-on cooking series designed to celebrate and share the rich culinary heritage of LatinX/Hispanics cultures. Each session focuses on creating traditional dishes while fostering community and cultural appreciation. RSVPs are required to attend.

Perspectivas: Deliberative Dialogue

Thursday, Oct. 9 | El Centro (Carlton 114)| 6 – 7 p.m.

An educational program focusing on student perspectives and deliberative dialogue, in collaboration with Kernodle Center.

Late Night Cafe con Leche with ELHAN

Friday, Oct. 10 | El Centro (Carlton 114)| 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

ELHAN is hosting a late night cafe con leche for an opportunity to network with other Latinx/Hispanic community members.

Gala Latina

Friday, Oct. 24th | LaRose Commons | 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.��

This culminating event of Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates student success while highlighting the contributions and achievements of the Latinx/Hispanic community at �鶹��Ƶ. Open to all students, faculty and staff, it serves as a space for empowerment, recognition and fostering a more inclusive campus environment.

Events such as the First-Generation Stole Ceremony, Celebremos!: Graduates Take Flight, Donning of the Kente, and Lavender Graduation highlighted the resilience of students from many backgrounds and experiences.

“These students faced additional layers of complexity throughout their time at �鶹��Ƶ, and they exemplify resilience, commitment and conviction,” said Professor Vanessa Bravo, assistant dean in the School of Communications. “Graduating from college is a wonderful accomplishment in itself, and the School of Communications is immensely proud of these individuals –��and all of our graduating seniors.”

First-Generation Stole Ceremony
May 21, McKinnon Hall

Honoring the accomplishments of first-generation college students, this event celebrated those who were the first in their families to earn a college degree. School of Communications honorees:

• Jason N. Adama-Tettey, Communication Design
• Chase Augustus, Sport Management
• Jenivee Bevan, Cinema & Television Arts
• Alexis Cooper, Journalism
• Laker Figueroa, Sport Management
• Hailey Gardiner, Cinema & Television Arts
• Uwera Izabayo, Cinema & Television Arts
• Jayla Martin-Beasley, Strategic Communications
• Manny Peralta, Sport Management
• José Alex Reyes Arias, Strategic Communications
• Mackenzie Smith, Cinema & Television Arts
• Givanna Solis, Cinema & Television Arts
• Jessica Walker, Strategic Communications

Celebremos!: Graduates Take Flight
May 22, Lakeside

This bilingual event is an annual tradition to honor the achievements and contributions of all graduating students, with a special emphasis on those who identify with Latinx/Hispanic identities and cultures. School of Communications honorees:

• Leslie Aviles Mendoza, Strategic Communications
• Cristy Mariné, Cinema & Television Arts
• José Alex Reyes Arias, Strategic Communications

Donning of the Kente
May 22, Alumni Gym

The university’s Donning of the Kente ceremony is a celebration that honors students of African descent and acknowledges their academic achievements, cultural heritage, and personal journeys. During the ceremony, graduates are presented with a Kente stole – a colorful, handwoven cloth – which they wear as part of their graduation regalia. School of Communications honorees:

• Jason N. Adama-Tettey, Communication Design
• Aniya Arnold, Cinema & Television Arts
• Chase Augustus, Sport Management
• Alexis Cooper, Journalism
• Rachael (Mae) Curington, Cinema & Television Arts
• Uwera Izabayo, Cinema & Television Arts
• Jayla Martin-Beasley, Strategic Communications
• Madison Muir, Cinema & Television Arts
• Sebastian Schroeter, Sport Management
• Taylor Scott, Strategic Communications

Lavender Graduation
May 14, Alumni Gym

The university’s Lavender Graduation honors and celebrates the achievements of graduating LGBTQIA+ students and their allies. The ceremony provides a space for reflection, recognition and community, acknowledging the unique experiences and contributions of these students during their time on campus. Among the 23 participants were the following School of Communications majors:

• Rachael (Mae) Curington, Cinema & Television Arts
• Jayla Martin-Beasley, Strategic Communications

“This stole around my shoulders bears the journey of my family, my mentors, my friends and my ancestors,” she wrote, switching seamlessly between English and Spanish. Her message was a love letter: to her Mexican parents who journeyed across borders for opportunity; to her sisters cheering her on from afar; and to the mentors who believed in her before she believed in herself.

“Este momento es nuestro.”

“This moment is ours.”

That spirit of gratitude, pride and belonging was palpable throughout the 2025 “¡Celebremos!: Graduates Take Flight” celebration held May 22 in the Lakeside Meeting Rooms. Led by El Centro and the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education, with the support of the Office of Alumni Engagement, the annual bilingual program honors Latinx and Hispanic graduating students while celebrating the diverse stories that define the �鶹��Ƶ experience.

The ceremony marked more than a milestone. It was a moment of recognition for the work, love and legacy each graduate carried on their shoulders.

“I’m here because of your faith in me,” Rachel Lopez wrote in her reflection. She spoke of the sacrifices made by her parents, originally from El Salvador, including her father holding two jobs and her mother driving her around to every after-school activity when she was younger. ��“I’m here as a proud daughter of immigrants, with your love in my heart and your example guiding every step I take.”

In their reflections, many students spoke of navigating challenges as first-generation college students, honoring their parents’ labor and resilience, and finding chosen family at �鶹��Ƶ through mentors and peer connections.

“You have made �鶹��Ƶ a more vibrant, loving and powerful space, and we are forever changed by your presence.” — Sylvia Muñoz, director of the CREDE

Jose Alex Reyes Arias, who participated in �鶹��Ƶ’s “It Takes a Village” Project since childhood, reflected on the power of community. “Before I ever stepped foot on �鶹��Ƶ’s campus as a student, I was already surrounded by the love, support and encouragement of the �鶹��Ƶ community,” he wrote. “When I officially became an �鶹��Ƶ student, my village only grew stronger. Throughout my time here, I’ve had mentors who poured into me not just academically, but personally.”

Cristy Mariné ’25 delivered a heartfelt charge to the students, sharing how she once hesitated to bring her full identity into the classroom. “I questioned whether my voice belonged … whether people would understand me when I switched languages mid-sentence.” Over time, she added, she stopped asking for permission to be proud of her roots.

“I let my culture be loud,” Mariné said.��“I stopped translating parts of myself to make others comfortable, and I let my story take up space.”

She likened her college journey to her Venezuelan mother’s arepas. While they are made with simple ingredients, it’s the filling that makes all the difference. Likewise, the richness of our identities is not complete without what we carry inside.

“Whatever your life looks like after graduation, fill it with what matters. Speak your language, hold your traditions close and know that you’re allowed to shape the spaces you walk into,” Mariné said. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my mom’s arepas, it’s that you don’t need much to make something meaningful, but you do need love and intention.”

In her remarks, President Connie Ledoux Book reminded graduates that the stole they received was designed by a former Latinx �鶹��Ƶ student and serves as a symbol of both continuity and community. Beyond a diploma, she said, they leave �鶹��Ƶ with the lifelong bonds they have formed with each other and mentors who shaped them along the way. “Your time at �鶹��Ƶ helped you build relationships that will impact the rest of your life,” she said. “This �鶹��Ƶ community is yours for the rest of your life, and I hope that you lean into it.”

The monarch butterfly, woven into the stole’s design, represents migration, transformation and persistence. As Assistant Director of the CREDE MJ Larrazabal Chacón G’21 explained, the butterfly was chosen by students as a metaphor for the journeys many in the Latinx community navigate. “�鶹��Ƶ has become one of our stops to recharge,” she said, “as we think about our next destination.”

Like the butterfly, students carry their heritage wherever they go. As the ceremony closed, Assistant Dean of Students and CREDE Director Sylvia Muñoz reminded students that their presence, rooted in heritage, courage and grace, is a powerful force that can make a difference in the world.

“You have the power to challenge injustice, to lead with compassion and to light the way for those who come after you,” she said. “You have made �鶹��Ƶ a more vibrant, loving and powerful space, and we are forever changed by your presence.”

is motivated by a desire to uncover the truth.

Since 2022, the �鶹��Ƶ alumna has served as an immigration reporter and fact-checker for , an online fact-checking platform operated by the . The journalism and strategic communications double major explained that she finds great satisfaction in thoroughly researching topics, noting that – unlike many other journalism roles – fact-checkers can explore subjects in great detail.

“I really enjoy how deeply I can research a topic,” said Ramirez Uribe, a few hours before headlining the university’s about the upcoming presidential election. “I feel privileged to be able to spend the time to talk to the experts, to really dive in and understand an issue, and to truly look into the data. It is something that most journalists don’t have the time and the capacity to do – to fully investigate a topic and learn about it.

“So, I feel an immense level of responsibility, but also a lot of privilege to get to do it.”

With Election Day just two weeks way, Ramirez Uribe’s campus visit corresponded with a crucial time in American politics. While her focus is immigration, her responsibilities stretch across the landscape of political misinformation, whether debunking viral social media claims or fact-checking statements from high-profile politicians. Working in both English and Spanish, she has also joined PolitiFact’s TikTok team, using creative content to explain complex political subjects to younger audiences.

In recent weeks, Ramirez Uribe has investigated claims that former President Donald Trump paid for Nelson Mandela’s travel to the U.S. in 1990, as well as Vice President Kamala Harris’ statements that the Biden-Harris administration cut the amount of fentanyl flowing into the country in half. Both claims were rated “False” on PolitiFact’s popular Truth-O-Meter scale.

Ramirez Uribe’s work involves more than just verifying facts. She dives into the data, consults experts, and transforms legal jargon into stories that resonate with readers. Her days are varied. She has interviewed public health experts about communicable diseases in Springfield, Ohio, and spoken with economists and subject matter experts on Medicare and Social Security. The topic of immigration intersects with many other subjects in the national conversation.

Plus, there is an additional wrinkle to fact-checking. Ramirez Uribe explained that fact-checking politicians can be quite different from general journalism because it requires taking a stronger stance.

“One of the biggest shifts for me was it’s a different type of writing, and it’s a different type of thinking about and presenting information,” she said. “It’s not general storytelling. It’s not writing the way that journalists write or that we’re taught to write. You have to be a lot more authoritative because you’re telling somebody they’re wrong.”

She also highlighted the difficulty of fact-checking misinformation when there’s limited or no available data, citing her experience investigating claims about fentanyl seizures in the U.S.

“It’s hard to fact-check something we don’t know, and when there’s no data about it,” she said.

Ramirez Uribe expressed great appreciation for the journalists she cites in her work, often referencing stories several decades old. Without their journalistic efforts, she wouldn’t be able to do her current job.

This underscores the enduring value of journalism.

“As I begin researching, inevitably more questions begin to pop up and I try to answer them as well,” she said. “So, I’m reliant on what was reported previously and the work of previous reporters … and it just proves the importance of journalism as a historic record.”

Assistant Professor Israel Balderas, who teaches Media Law and Ethics and participated in the Alumni Voices discussion with Ramirez Uribe, noted that the impact of her work at PolitiFact extends far beyond just correcting a false statement. No, there is more – significantly more –��at stake, he explained.

“Maria represents the next generation of journalists who understand that fact-checking isn’t just about correcting the record – it’s about protecting democracy itself,” he said. “Her work, particularly her coverage of immigration issues, demonstrates how firsthand experience, combined with rigorous fact-checking, helps combat the spread of harmful misinformation that affects real communities and influences electoral outcomes.”

Ironically, Ramirez Uribe shared that she was not initially drawn to journalism. In fact, she resisted the idea when she enrolled at �鶹��Ƶ. At that time, she was more interested in strategic communications. But her first-year Communications in a Global Age class, taught by Rich Landesberg, adjunct associate professor emeritx of journalism, changed her path.

“I did not want to be a journalist. I pushed back a lot. But Rich is the reason I’m in journalism,” she said.

The journalism professor immediately recognized Ramirez Uribe ‘s intelligence, focus and commitment to improving the world. As a result, he guided her toward the newsroom where she could use her many strengths.

“What a joy it was to have Maria in my classes,” Landesberg said. “She was challenging in the way we hope all of our students will be. Most importantly, she has a strong desire to make the world a better place by seeking and reporting the truth. One of her strongest skills is the one thing you can’t teach: passion for journalism.”

For Ramirez Uribe, the topic of immigration is deeply personal. She was born in Venezuela and relocated with her family to the Washington, D.C., area at the age of 12. That personal experience fuels her. Likewise, she credited her academic background and the community she built at �鶹��Ƶ, especially her time at El Centro, for shaping her as a person and as a journalist.

“�鶹��Ƶ is, without a doubt, the reason I am where I am today,” she said.

Tavo Alcoser, Jr., lead singer for Jarabe Mexicano, said the band’s overall mission is “encouraging inclusion and community engagement through the arts.”

The band was formed in 2015 by Alcoser and Kevin Lomes, who plays the vihuela. Over the last nine years, Jarabe Mexicano has gained members and watched members move on. Now, Jarabe Mexicano has five faces: Alcoser, Lomes, Danny Brito (percussionist), Eduardo Valencia (guitarron) and Estaban Smith (guitarist).

“We value respect and communication in this band, which is essential for conflict resolution,” said Alcoser on whether the band has encountered challenges with each other over the years. “We’ve learned to treat each other like family because that’s what you are when you’re on the road.”

Being on tour and busy can take its toll at times. Nonetheless, Jarabe Mexicano has had its fair share of funny and memorable moments. Alcoser reminisced about a time when he had to make a pitstop to buy new shoes because he ripped the soles off his old ones from dancing during a show. This enthusiasm earned him the nickname “El Trompo,” or “the spinning top,” to his bandmates.

Unbeknownst to them, Jarabe Mexicano wasn’t only letting loose and having fun with their audience but encouraging them and motivating them as well. In one instance, a woman confided in the band, telling them she had cancer and was scared of what the future would bring. She told them that their music, specifically their bilingual rendition of Bob Marley’s “Get Up, Stand Up (Semillas),” deeply empowered her to face her illness and fight for her life.

“We were shocked, honored and deeply moved by this encounter as we realized the effect that our performances could have on people, even as we felt like small fish in a huge sea,” Alcoser said.

That woman eventually beat cancer and has since stayed in remission: “The power of music is truly amazing,” said Alcoser.

Hispanic Heritage Month may mean different things to different people. Maybe a student hasn’t had the opportunity to hear music derived from such a rich culture or there are faculty members who would benefit from shaking off stress with the joy that music brings. There may even be individuals who were born in Hispanic countries who would feel a little more at home with the music.

“I’m optimistic that we can keep honoring our histories, our cultures and our traditions while also embracing change and creating a future that benefits and enriches us all,” Alcoser said.

What better way to spread awareness and knowledge on culture and heritage than through celebration and music? In such a politically diverse world, it’s important to find little things that may unite the masses.

“It’s a difficult task, but one that’s worth fighting for,” said Alcosar.

When asked if he had any advice to impart on college students pursuing aspirations and dreams, Alcoser stated that “dreams are extremely important but are only as useful as the effort you’re willing to invest into them. As you move forward in life, remember to always follow your gut instinct when it calls out to you and to never, ever lose faith in yourself.”

With their show “Fiesta En Familia: Home Is Where The Heart Is,” Jarabe Mexicano hopes that the people who attend their performances can feel like a part of the band’s extended family. They hope that regardless of background, the audience can spot a bit of themselves in the culture and music.

“Despite our differences, we ultimately belong to one human family,” he said.

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