Rutgers–Camden Students Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at White House
Visit to the nation's capital capped off a monthlong slate of Hispanic Heritage Month events
The U.S. National Security Council celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month in Washington, DC by recognizing the contributions of Latino colleagues and welcoming students from across the country. With the support of the Office of Scholar Development and Fellowship Advising, Rutgers–Camden selected six students to attend a wide-ranging panel discussion.
Raizel Febles, Anderson Guaman, Alexangel Nunez, William Ramos, Nicole Rodriguez, and Amaya Solar had the opportunity to hear from high-ranking Latinx government leaders, including Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Immigration Policy Daniel Delgado. The leaders discussed the impact of being Latino and how their identity played a significant role in their professional success.
Amaya Solar, a TRiO Scholar and Honors College student majoring in political science, said the experience allowed her to be “in community” and network with fellow Latinos.
“Visiting the White House to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month was an experience I never imagined having during my second year at Rutgers,” Solar said. “We had the privilege of hearing from three inspiring Latino leaders, including Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who encouraged us to work hard and never let anyone make them feel incapable of achieving their goals. We also had the opportunity to network and connect with fellow leaders and students from the Hispanic community.”
Anderson Guaman, a TRiO Scholar studying computer science, reflected on his journey as a first-generation student. “I moved to the United States from Ecuador,” Guaman said. “If you told me I would get a chance to visit the White House, I would not have believed you. I also got to meet Secretary Mayorkas. He was inspiring, especially as a fellow first-generation college student. Seeing so many Hispanic people who are doing important things made me feel proud and motivated to keep working hard so our voices will be heard in future generations.”
As Rutgers–Camden progresses toward designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, the university is committed to providing high-impact opportunities to develop, educate, and empower emerging scholars like Solar and Guaman to achieve academically and professionally.
Also as part of Hispanic Heritage Month, the student organization HombRes and the Division of Student Academic Success held the inaugural Escaleras Summit. Undergraduates and high school students from Camden's LEAP Academy engaged with faculty, alumni, staff, and students through workshop sessions and career panels.
Students discussed topics including linguistic and cultural bias, organizational integrity and ethics, combatting productivity culture and burnout, and managing gendered expectations of humility as Latin women.
“The Escaleras Summit was a very beautiful and important leadership conference that helped me and my peers grow as leaders and professionals,” said Yoel Bernard, a business management major and vice president of HombRes. “As an individual, it empowered me to take the initiative and be a role model to others, especially those from my high school, LEAP Academy. I look forward to similar events that help promote leadership and empowerment for the Latinx community in Camden.”
Freshman criminal justice major Syphera Villanueva felt inspired by the alumni panelists and faculty presenters. “The summit was inspiring and motivational,” Villanueva said. “Being minorities, we do not get the same opportunities as others, but talking to the panelists and other students influenced me to believe that I can succeed with the help of people to guide and support me along the way."
For more information on how to become involved with these campus efforts, contact Brandon Quiles, Assistant Director for Student Support Services at bquiles@camden.rutgers.edu.
