LatinxEd

?? Felicidades to Dr. Maylee Vazquez, LatinxEd Fellow, for being a first author! Her newly published paper, "Es Nuestra Oportunidad: Latinx Students Seeking Independence While Maintaining Familismo," is a love letter to Latinx, first-generation students and their families, and a powerful call to action for higher education professionals. ?? Repping the Department of Counseling at North Carolina A&T University (Aggie Pride!), Maylee’s paper centers on Latine student success and the unique challenges first-gen students face in entering and navigating higher ed. Her dedication to post-secondary access is something we’re incredibly proud to support. ?? Maylee, we see you and love celebrating this amazing accomplishment with you~ Thank you for all you do! #FromDreamstoAction #SomosNC #LatinxEdFellow

???Documented Dreamers face unique challenges as they navigate unstable immigration circumstances and the barriers they encounter in higher education. ?? Raised in the U.S. from a young age, many call this country home, yet turning 21 or aging out of temporary visas can force them into impossible situations. ?? Let’s amplify their voices and work toward a future where these students are fully supported. ?? Sign up for our UndocuCarolina newsletter to access resources and learn how you can advocate for Documented Dreamers today. https://bit.ly/allynews #DocumentedDreamers #FromDreamsToAction

?? Congratulations to our 2024 Fellow, Silvia Martín del Campo Vargas, who was nominated for the Latino Diamante Awards in Education! This award honors leaders making outstanding contributions in education—from teaching to administration, research, and involvement in professional associations. ???As Director of Latinx ED at McDowell Tech Community College, Silvia has left a lasting impact on her community. This year, she led the 8th Annual Día de los Muertos Event in McDowell County, showing that her leadership goes far beyond her role at McDowell Tech. ?? Join us in celebrating Silvia’s accomplishment and her tireless work supporting Latine communities in Western North Carolina!

?? Today, we’re celebrating Yahel Flores’s birthday, our Director of Community Impact! Yahel, we’re thrilled to honor another year of your life and leadership in North Carolina. Here’s what you need to know about Yahel: ?? First and foremost, he’s a proud dad whose incredible son fuels his passion for creating a brighter future. ?? Yahel’s an entrepreneur at heart, having started several businesses to support his goals—always driven to make a difference. ?? And as a multisport athlete, he brings a strong work ethic and team spirit to everything he does. ?? We’re grateful for Yahel’s vision, dedication, and heart in our LatinxEd community. ?Feliz cumplea?os, Yahel! #HappyBirthdayYahel #LatinxEd #???? #LatinxEdFellow

?? Happy International Students Day! Today, we're shining a spotlight on the unique and often overlooked journey of Documented Dreamers in higher education. These students navigate complex immigration challenges, and their stories are integral to the fabric of our communities. Swipe to learn more about who these students are and the barriers they face in accessing education. ???Often raised in the U.S. from a young age, Documented Dreamers have lived, studied, and contributed to their communities, yet their unstable immigration circumstances contribute to increased mental health challenges and barriers in accessing higher education. For many, turning 21 or ending a temporary visa can bring a harsh reality — the possibility of being forced to leave a country that has been their home for most of their lives. ???Click the link below to register for the UndocuCarolina newsletter and gain access to an infographic with more information about Documented Dreamers, plus resources for advocacy and support. Together, we can help amplify their experiences and make sure that our education systems are better equipped to support them!? https://bit.ly/allynews ?#InternationalStudentsDay #DocumentedDreamers #FromDreamstoAction

?? Flashback Friday to an unforgettable team lunch in High Point, NC with the legendary Laura Godinez Arce, LatinxEd Fellow 2024! Before our Fellowship Graduation, we had the chance to catch up and learn about all the amazing work Laura is doing as the YWCA Latino Family Center Director. Always inspired by her leadership and vision! ?? Stay tuned for some special updates coming soon about graduation! ?? Thanks for the lunch date, Laura—your energy and dedication are truly inspiring!

?? We’re incredibly proud to congratulate Isaí Robledo, 2022 LatinxEd Fellow, on his election to the Montgomery County Schools Board of Education, District 4! Isaí isn’t just stepping into a role; he’s making history as the first Latino to serve on this board, setting a powerful example of what community-driven, positive change looks like. ?? Throughout his career in K-12 and community college settings, Isaí has impacted countless lives, championing access and opportunity for all. Rooted in a family that values service, he leads with a deep commitment to uplifting others, inspiring us with his dedication to our community’s future. ?? Isaí embodies the spirit of what it means to serve with purpose, and we can’t wait to see all he’ll accomplish for Montgomery County students and families. ?Adelante, Isaí! #LatinxEdFellow #FromDreamstoAction #MontgomeryCounty #LatineLeadership

?? Another throwback to #HACU, spotlighting our North Carolina friends who joined us—including Sampson Community College, North Carolina’s first Hispanic-Serving Institution! ?? Testimonio: Before heading off, our friends at Anonymous Trust introduced us to Yaquelin (Jackie) Alvarado Antunez, a Furman undergrad and Sampson CC alum. Jackie was mentored by Genevieve (Genny) Merlos-Pulley, now a Success Coach at Sampson, and it was a full-circle moment to see Jackie presenting on her Dominion Energy & HACU Summer Bridge Program experience at Sampson CC. ?? A special shout-out to our board member Liliana Madrid, selected as a 2024-25 Fellow of HACU’s Leadership Academy! We’re proud to see North Carolina Latine leaders represented in spaces like this!

?? Our LatinxEd team—Yahel, Lucia, and Zamantha—had an inspiring experience at the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) conference! They joined leaders nationwide to discuss advancing Latine student success, partnerships, and policy opportunities for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). ?? We’re grateful to connect with friends Dr. Roberto Montoya and Steve Ast from Inside Track, Dr. Marvin Rondón, Genny Merlos-Pulley, and Yaquelin Alvarado Antunez (alumna) from Sampson Community College, and Emmanuel Caudillo (White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics) and Veronica Arreola (AHSIE). Each conversation strengthened our vision of educational access for Latine communities. ?? Special shout-out to our board member, Liliana Madrid, for being selected as a 2024-25 Fellow of HACU’s Leadership Academy! We’re thrilled to see her help expand diverse leadership in higher ed. ?? Thank you, HACU, for the incredible insights and connections! Here’s to building more opportunities across NC and beyond. #HACU2024 #LatineSuccess #LatinxEd #HSIAdvocacy #LeadershipAcademy

??? This Veterans Day, we celebrate two exceptional LatinxEd Fellows, Karmisha and Monica, whose military service has been a cornerstone of their leadership and dedication to advancing student success. ???? Monica, originally from Panama now based in Charlotte, NC, reflects on enlisting at 19 as the start of a transformative journey that made her a leader, first-generation college student, and Master’s in Social Work graduate. She shares, “The military shaped me into a leader and opened doors I never thought possible... igniting a fierce passion to advocate for those who often lack access to essential resources.” ???? Karmisha, with roots in Puerto Rico now based in Broadway, NC, shares, “Being a veteran has deeply shaped my leadership, reinforcing the values of respect, duty, selfless service, integrity, honor, and personal courage that I carry with pride. Though my time in service was brief, I am committed to carrying these values forward... creating spaces where all students, especially those from underrepresented communities, have the support and opportunities to succeed.” ?? Both Karmisha and Monica remind us that leadership is about service, resilience, and commitment to uplifting others. Their stories inspire our mission to advance postsecondary access and educational equity. We’re proud to have them in the LatinxEd familia, leading with purpose and heart. #VeteransDay #LatinxEdFellows #FromDreamstoAction #SomosNC #HonoringOurVeterans