Here are your Phoenix Five for the upcoming week:

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week

Monday, Nov. 10 to Friday, Nov. 14

The Kernodle Center for Civic Life and Elon Volunteers! invite you to engage in a week of service and education focused on food insecurity and housing. Participate in volunteer projects at the Second Harvest Food Bank, a food drive supporting Southern Alamance Family Empowerment (S.A.F.E), a panel with local leaders and a tour of a local Habitat for Humanity house. ŸĂŸĂÈÈ can register for volunteer shifts on .

Eat Around the World

Experience global flavors and cultural connections right here on campus! This week, gather at the events that celebrate community through food.

Ramen Across Asia

Wednesday, Nov. 12, 5:30 p.m., Moseley Kitchen

Join the Asian-Pacific Student Association for a flavorful journey through Asia’s beloved noodle soups! Sample regional ramen styles and learn about their cultural roots. From Japanese classics to Korean, Filipino, and Chinese variations. RSVP on .

Café Con Leche

Wednesday, Nov. 12, 5:30 p.m., El Centro, Carlton 114

Connect with fellow students at this monthly gathering centered on Latinx and Hispanic cultures. Share experiences, build friendships and explore college life in a welcoming, supportive environment open to all. This month will be Thanksgiving-themed! Come enjoy food, fellowship, and friendship. RSVP on .

SGA Townhall: Small Actions, Big Impact: How Individual Efforts Create Meaningful Change

Wednesday, Nov. 12, 6 p.m., Lakeside Meeting Rooms

Join SGA for a two-part event focused on taking action and creating change.

Part One: Hear from CrossRoads and the Gender & LGBTQIA Center on how small actions can lead to lasting impact in preventing sexual violence.
Part Two: Take part in roundtable discussions with local leaders and peers to explore how individual efforts can inspire collective transformation.

This is a great opportunity to connect, learn, and leave with ideas to make a difference. Follow for more information.

Late Night Elon: Limitless Showcase

Friday, Nov. 14, 7 p.m., College Street Taphouse

This Friday, the Taphouse is your spot for good vibes and good music. Join Late Night Elon and Limitless for a full night of music featuring student artists at the Limitless annual showcase. Visit for more information.

Elon Basketball Double Header

Saturday, Nov. 15, Women’s Basketball at 5 p.m., Men’s Basketball at 8 p.m., Schar Center

Come out and support Phoenix basketball in a special night of back-to-back action on the court! The women’s team takes on Howard, followed by the men’s team facing Gardner-Webb. and bring your Phoenix Spirit! Additionally, the National Pan-Hellenic Council will be collecting books at the game for students in the Alamance-Burlington School System.

That spark, born in a hospital room and cultivated at Elon, now powers Rosales’ work as a bilingual journalist, TV host and content creator traveling to red carpets and fashion weeks across Latin America and the U.S.

In early 2025, she checked off two vision-board moments: New York Fashion Week and Premio Lo Nuestro, an awards show honoring the best of Latin music. “Stepping out of the car and seeing the cameras, the fans, I thought, this is real,” she said.

Elon felt like home from the start, Rosales says, even before she enrolled, when her family visited campus during her sister’s recovery. The support continued when she arrived as a student. “El Centro was my support system,” she said, adding that staff like Sylvia Muñoz and Diana Prieto were family. She also credits the Center for Race, Ethnicity & Diversity Education (CREDE) and the daily kindness of dining staff who “checked on me, cheered me on, and made campus feel like home.”

She entered as a cinema and television arts major but quickly gravitated toward being on-air. A friend encouraged her to try ETalk, the student-run TV show. “There was a spark when I saw the host,” she said. “They brought so much magic to the table. I thought, ‘Why don’t I do that?’.”

Another nudge led her to WSOE, where she launched the station’s first Spanish-language radio program, Tu Cita Favorita, a weekly hour of entertainment news and music. “It was just me, myself and I, talking about what I loved,” Rosales said. “I wanted the Burlington community to hear Spanish on air.”

Faculty mentors helped her embrace bilingual storytelling. Professor Anthony Hatcher “showed me not to be afraid of speaking Spanish in journalism, or of my accent,” she said.

Professor Kelly Furnas remembers the purpose behind her early assignments.

“Beyond energy, engagement and work ethic, she brought a sense of purpose to her writing,” Furnas said.

Professor Alex Luchsinger also noticed a “lightbulb moment” as Rosales leaned into reporting on Nicaragua and Latin America. “Her background and skillset put her in a good position to do this,” Luchsinger said.

A pivotal moment came when Maity Interiano ’07, a Univision host and Elon alumna, returned to campus. While on campus, Rosales asked her for advice.

“Maity says people come to TV for three things: fame, a voice or to do what they love,” Rosales recalled. “I realized I want to entertain and inform, to be that spark for someone having a hard day.”

After four years of storytelling and growth, she was ready to take that energy into the professional world. Graduating into the 2020 pandemic, however, meant rescinded offers and a frozen job market. Rosales returned to Managua and pitched a morning segment to the national station, VosTV. The show, Tu Cita con Carmencita, began as a 15-minute feature twice a week. “I had no professional camera, just my phone and a lot of ganas (enthusiasm),” she said.

Then came a turning point. In February 2022, as her grandmother’s health declined, sponsors abruptly pulled out of the show.

“Within two days, about 15 brands said they couldn’t continue,” Rosales said. That same weekend, an international fashion invitation landed in her inbox. “It felt like a sign,” she said.

After her grandmother passed on Feb. 14, “her favorite date,” Rosales thanked viewers on live TV and announced it would be her last episode on the channel. “I took the invitation and went independent.”

Since then, Rosales has covered Miss Nicaragua and Latin American fashion weeks, and booked U.S. commercial work, all while growing Tu Cita con Carmencita as her own platform. She has also explored acting, including a role on a Telemundo project titled Velvet: El Nuevo Imperio.

“Being on set felt like home,” she said.

She took acting and special-effects classes at Elon and hopes to keep that door open. Rosales is passionate about creating greater visibility for Hispanic journalists and TV hosts in the U.S. entertainment industry. She hopes her work helps open doors for others who share her background.

“I want young viewers, especially girls across Latin America, to see that their dreams are possible,” she said. “You have to believe in yourself and follow your heart.”

She also measures success differently now.

“Before Elon, I thought success was just making it,” she said. “Today, success is being at peace with where you are on the journey. As a Phoenix, we rise, no matter how many times we fall.”

Rosales keeps Elon close to her heart. As a student, she often walked through the School of Communications’ ‘Wall of Fame’ for inspiration, reminding herself that the people on those walls once stood where she was.

“I used to look at those photos and think, one day, I want a Latina student to see my picture and believe it’s possible,” she said. Now, she hopes current students do the same, finding motivation in the stories of those who came before them.

She hopes to return to campus to speak with students and partner with Latin organizations.

Her advice to current Phoenix: “You don’t have to know your path as a first-year. Try everything. Walk the ‘Wall of Fame’ and see yourself there. Those four years are hard, and they shape you,” she said.

And for anyone navigating setbacks, she offers the same encouragement she once gave her sister from a hospital bedside: “Keep going. Little signs will tell you you’re on the right track, and the yeses always come.”

Do you know an alum who has an interesting story to tell, maybe even yourself? Please feel free to share those stories online.

She presented the work of the Diocesan Commission for the Defense of Nature (CODIDENA), an organization that advocates for the restoration of the identity and spirituality of the Xinka Indigenous people of Central America while protecting nature against extractivist mega-projects. Lemus talked in detail about the case of the peaceful resistance to the Escobal mining project, and their everyday struggles against the government and the mining corporations.

During the talk, she shared the values of her community to protect the earth and how they recognize themselves as Xinka by recovering their language and their culture. She also expressed the difficult reality faced by her community in rural areas as well as the challenges faced by organizers advocating for the Xinka land rights. The talk explored how they were able to stop the development of the mining project after three years of struggle, based on the Indigenous and Tribal People Convention, an international agreement acknowledged by the International Labour Organization, in which indigenous people must be consulted in case of any project affecting their population. In this case, after consulting with the Xinka people, they decided to reject the mining project given the multiple threats to their health and the environment.

Lemus also showed her grassroots initiative with young scientists in the Xinka community to address water contamination issues provoked by mining operations. This project not only capacitates the new generations, but also advocates for an intergenerational collective growth of the whole Xinka people. As a result of this initiative, community members created a system for measuring the degree of contamination in the water, empowering communities to defend themselves in their fight for environmental justice.

Over 50people attended the event. ŸĂŸĂÈÈ from peace and conflict studies, Latin American studies, as well as from different Spanish courses, the Core Curriculum, and philosophy classes learned about the complexity of current environmental struggles in Guatemala. After the talk, students asked several questions regarding the role of the Guatemalan government in this conflict and the recognition of the Xinka identity, engaging in a very fruitful dialogue about the importance of advocating for indigenous rights and environmental justice in peaceful demonstrations. The conference was conducted in Spanish with interpretation performed by Emily Rhyne from the organization Witness for Peace.

Lemus also participated in a roundtable discussion in Spanish with other human rights activists at El Centro. The roundtable focused on Guatemalan history and cultural diversity, generating a constructive dialogue among students learning about Latin American indigenous identities. The speakers talked about the work of their organizations at the local, national and global level, emphasizing the need to construct strong networks of solidarity. ŸĂŸĂÈÈ from the Spanish program engaged in a vivid conversation during the event, learning about the intercultural richness of Central America and the political relevance of the region in relation with the U.S. government today.

This visit was co-organized by the Peace and Conflict Studies program and the Latin American Studies program, and it was sponsored by the Department of World Languages and Cultures; El Centro; the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning; International and Global Studies; Isabella Cannon Global Education Center; Women’s, Gender, and Sexualities Studies; the Department of Philosophy; and the Department of Sociology and Anthropology.

These early moments on her family’s coffee farm became the foundation of Camila Montoya Posada’s ’27 most cherished memories, and the roots of her deep love for family and community.

“Coffee is a really big part of Colombian culture. It’s our biggest export,” she said. “Anytime I drink coffee, I think, maybe these beans came from our farm. It brings back all those memories of family and community.”

Born in Colombia and raised in Pittsburgh, Montoya Posada has always carried her roots with her. Her heritage isn’t just part of who she is – it drives her purpose. As she reflects on her journey, she believes that fostering connections across backgrounds, identities and experiences is both her calling and her legacy.

Staying connected to her roots

When Montoya Posada’s family moved to Pittsburgh from Colombia, her mother made a firm decision that Spanish would remain the primary language of their household. This choice enabled the family to remain deeply connected to their heritage.

“She never let us forget where we were from,” Montoya Posada said. “She didn’t want us to lose our Spanish.”

Her ties to Colombia remained strong into adulthood. Each December, she returns to her family’s farm for Christmas, where generations of relatives fill the house with music, dancing and laughter.

“We have 17 cousins, and we do everything together,” she said. “It’s one of my favorite times of the year. It reminds me that family and community are everything.” Those gatherings taught her that connection isn’t just something you find, it’s something that is created and nurtured.

This spirit of connection now guides her Elon experience. Last spring, Montoya Posada had the chance to share her culture firsthand by bringing a group of Elon friends to Colombia to meet her family and experience life on the coffee farm.

“They absolutely fell in love with it,” she said. “It made me so happy to see them appreciate my culture and my country as much as I do.”

Building bridges at Elon

As the lead student coordinator for the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education’s (CREDE) El Centro, Montoya Posada helps organize over 15 cultural events each semester, ranging from cooking workshops to CafĂ© con Leche conversations.

“Being in this role has helped me learn so much about myself,” she said. “It’s given me the space to talk about my identity and to grow as a leader.”

Though at first, Montoya Posada felt that she was the “odd one out” in her classes, she quickly learned to see her differences as a strength.

“If people already think I’m different, I might as well show them why,” she said. “Not just because of the way I look, but because of what I bring to the table. It gives me something to talk about immediately and an easy way to connect with others.”

Leaning into her differences, she was able to create a family here at Elon and find belonging in unexpected places, including her sorority, Alpha Xi Delta.

“I wasn’t sure I wanted to rush at first,” she said. “It’s not really part of our culture in Colombia. But once I joined, I found people who understood and supported me. It became another kind of family.”

Finding community in one space inspired her to strengthen it in another. Within Elon’s Latinx community, Montoya Posada works to bridge divides between students born in the U.S. and those from abroad.

“I’ve always heard people talk about this divide, but I don’t feel it personally,” she said. “To me, we’re one big community. We have each other’s backs.”

Celebrating connection and community

The theme of connection runs through every part of Montoya Posada’s story, including her perspective on Hispanic Heritage Month, which she views as a celebration of community and belonging.

“To me, it’s about community building and being celebrated for all the things this amazing community does,” she said.

Among her favorite events are the Kickoff Festival, CafĂ© con Leche gatherings, and the new Vamos a la Cocina cooking workshops — all centered around food, a cornerstone of Hispanic and Latinx culture.

“Food is a great way to bring people together,” she said. “Everyone loves to eat. It’s a fun, authentic way to share who we are.”

From Montoya Posada’s perspective, these celebrations do more than highlight tradition; they help students feel seen and valued.

“It’s about visibility,” she said. “It’s about creating spaces where we can celebrate who we are and invite others to learn with us.”

A global vision rooted in connection

As Montoya Posada looks to the future, her vision for connection continues to grow broader. Fluent in Spanish, French, and German, she plans to pursue a career in international or global communications.

“I grew up very internationally and very appreciative of different cultures,” she said. “I want to connect people across the world. To communicate and bridge cultures through campaigns and storytelling.”

Her goal is to return to Colombia one day and apply what she’s learned at Elon to global brand communication. “Ideally, I’d love to live there again full time,” she said. “My heritage has shaped the way I see the world. It’s taught me that communication, real connection, is universal.”

Connection and bridge-building are at the heart of what Montoya Posada hopes to leave behind at Elon. “I want to be remembered as a bridge,” she said. “[As] someone who helped people from different identities and cultures connect with each other.”

Reflections from her childhood and experiences at Elon encompass the greatest lesson she has learned: that connection is both her heritage and her purpose.

“It’s all about bringing people together,” she said. “When we connect, we understand each other better. That’s how community grows.”

Elon honors Hispanic Heritage Month

As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, ŸĂŸĂÈÈ 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.

On Sept. 24-25, 2025, Chen-LĂłpez’s two-day visit invited students to reflect on their understanding of Latin American identity and migration as he shared his innovative research on the representation of Chinese communities in Latin American literature, cinema, and visual arts, which is a topic that opened new perspectives for students and community members across multiple disciplines.

Chen-LĂłpez’s keynote address, “Affective Mapping: Tracing the Chinese Diaspora in Latin American Literature, Cinema, and Visual Arts,” examined how Chinese identity and history are portrayed in creative works throughout different Latin American countries: Mexico, Costa Rica, and Argentina. His work traces how emotional responses to Chinatowns and Chinese neighborhoods have evolved over time and explores how the very concepts of “China” and “Chineseness” have shifted in response to changing geopolitical dynamics.

The visit extended far beyond a single lecture. Chen-LĂłpez engaged directly with students in various courses in the classrooms and in El Centro, including “Human Migrations”, “Medical Spanish”, “Growing Up in the Spanish Speaking World”, “In Search of Identity, Innovation and Social Protest Theater”, and COR1100. He also met with student members from the Latin American Studies program, the Spanish Club, and the Chinese Club during a community breakfast, fostering cross-cultural dialogue.

For many students, the presentations sparked revelations about migration patterns they had never considered. Anette Cruz ’28, reflected on how the experience transformed their perspective

“Previously when thinking about migration to Latin American countries it never really came to my head to think about countries like China,” said Cruz. “When I would think about migration, I would think it was mostly within Latin American regions. But after learning about the impact Chinese migration has had on countries like Mexico, Costa Rica, and Argentina, it really made me think about the significance of it. I was able to see that through symbolism shown to me in Mexican readings, Argentinian movies and Costa Rican paintings, and to me I found that very interesting because again, I feel as if I would have overlooked that if I was presented with it. Overall Chinese diaspora in Latin American countries shown through historical contexts and symbolism in art is something new that I learned today, something that has opened my eyes a little more when talking about migration to Latin American countries.”

Chen-LĂłpez’s interdisciplinary approach demonstrated how overlooked communities have shaped Latin American culture in profound ways. By examining representations of “China” and “Chineseness” in Latin American art, literature, and film, he sparked a dialogue among students and the broader ŸĂŸĂÈÈ community on the importance of interdisciplinary research and looking beyond dominant narratives to discover the multiple histories of a society.

The Latin American Research Series is presented by Latin American Studies and sponsored by the Department of World Languages and Cultures; Peace and Conflict Studies; El Centro; International and Global Studies; Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning; Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; Isabella Cannon Global Education Center; the Department of Philosophy; and Global Films and Cultures.

For nearly a decade, Jarabe Mexicano has been more than a band — they’ve been cultural educators. Whether through bilingual performances, classroom collaborations, or inspiring young musicians to embrace their heritage. The band brings not only music, but a message of unity and empowerment.

Inspired by genres from mariachi to reggae to rock, the band embraces the sounds their parents and grandparents once cherished, honoring childhood memories and family traditions while creating something fresh for today’s audiences.

One of the band’s goals is to reach wide audiences, and they have traveled across the United States performing on behalf of border communities in California and Arizona. Their mission is to respectfully represent these communities. As lead singer Tavo Alcoser explains, they “always advocate for education and the arts as a means of empowerment, prosperity, and self-fulfillment.” Beyond that, the group strives to act as a bridge across cultures and generations — bringing people together through the universal language of music.

This global appeal comes from the band’s bilingual performances and diverse song selections, which expose audiences to many different cultures. At a time when understanding and connection are more important than ever, Jarabe Mexicano’s music invites people to identify with others from different backgrounds and overcome fear of cultures unlike their own.

“Stay true to your authentic self and prepare as much as you can. I found that when I embraced my unique perspective, straddling two countries and their many cultures, the right opportunities began to appear in my life, and I was prepared enough to make the most of them,” said Aloser on his advice to young musicians.

Over the years, band members have come and gone, but the group has always remained like a family. The current lineup features Gustavo ‘Tavo’ Alcoser, Jr. (lead vocals), Eduardo ‘Eddy’ Valencia (vihuela/vocals), Antonio ‘Tony’ Pro (guitarrón/vocals, and the newest member), Esteban ‘Steve’ Smith (lead guitar) and Daniel ‘Danny’ Brito (percussion/MC).

From their beginnings as music education students at San Diego State University to now touring across Mexico and throughout the United States, we are thrilled to welcome Jarabe Mexicano back to Elon. Join us for an evening that celebrates their vibrant blend of cultures this Thursday, Sept. 11, at 7:30 p.m. in McCrary Theatre. Come experience the community they create—and soak in the music.

Tickets are $15 or free with your Elon ID.

At this year’s Residence Life Awards, First-Phoenix LLC emerged as a leading force of excellence, sweeping several top honors:

• Maximus Garganta, senior resident assistant, received the Student Leadership and Community Development Award
• Violette Valadez was named LLC Ambassador of the Year
• Odalys Zelaya Figueroa earned LLC Community Student of the Year
• Paula DiBiasio, associate professor of physical therapy education and Kenneth Brown, assistant director of first-generation initiatives were jointly recognized as LLC Advisors of the Year

These awards reflect a remarkable year of collaboration, student empowerment and identity-driven support. Designed to serve first-generation college students, First-Phoenix LLC fosters belonging through peer mentorship and culturally meaningful programming, offering an “instant community” that understands the unique challenges and successes of being first in the family to attend college.

Throughout the academic year, First-Phoenix brought its mission to life through vibrant events and hands-on experiences. Highlights included:

• A fully funded trip to the North Carolina State Fair, made possible by securing a competitive RCAC grant
• A community cooking night, where students taught and shared personal recipes like penne alla vodka, strawberry tres leches, and dal makhani
• Social events like Caramel Apple Study Breaks, Slime Making and an LLC bowling night
• Flan Night, hosted in collaboration with El Centro, which featured a live cooking demonstration of Panamanian flan along with a brief history of Panama City, Panama
• A farm tour at Ran-Lew Dairy, organized in partnership with the Milk Club, which introduced students to local North Carolina agriculture
• Academic support programs like the Advising Assistance Night, helping students with course registration and planning

As First-Phoenix looks ahead, the energy is only growing. Plans for next year include expanding the mentorship program with more structure and frequency and increasing the LLC’s visibility and outreach across campus.

From its very first semester, First-Phoenix LLC has demonstrated the power of intentional community-building and peer support. The awards may mark the close of a successful academic year, but for First-Phoenix, this is only the beginning.

Lucia Lozano Robledo ’21 and Mirella Cisneros Perez ’19 are both curriculum and program specialists for LatinxEd, which, since 2022, has been located on Elon’s campus through a partnership with the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education. The goal of the educational initiative in North Carolina is to provide targeted, multi-year support to Latinx students and immigrant families aspiring for greater opportunities in higher education.

, founded by Elaine Utin and Ricky Hurtado in 2018, has a mission to give back to Latinx leadership and help create a new generation of leaders. Before joining the LatinxEd team, Robledo and Perez were both impacted by the organization’s important work.

In high school, Lozano Robledo was a scholar through the . SLI is a college access and success program that was founded at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2001 and laid the foundation for the creation of what would become LatinxEd.

“I have known Ricky and Elaine, who are the LatinxEd co-founders, since I was like 16. That is my sweet origin story,” said Lozano Robledo.

While attending Elon, Robledo applied and was awarded as a through LatinxEd and was named to the first cohort.

“They were my dream place to work when I graduated,” said Robledo, who became a fellow through the Elon Year of Service Graduate Fellow program when there were no open full-time positions at LatinxEd.

Cisneros Perez found out about LatinxEd while she was a student at Elon, and LatinxEd launched its .

“It really intrigued me, so I just followed them and stayed connected in that way,” said Cisneros Perez. Her brother started working with LatinxEd a year later because he had worked with SLI. While Cisneros Perez was ŸĂŸĂÈÈ in Durham, a position became available, and her brother shared the job description.

Cisnero Perez creates curriculum, which includes thinking about the programming of the fellowship, what is being learned and how it is being learned. Establishing the curriculum helps to ensure that it reflects the needs of the fellows and reflects the way the community learns and interacts with each other. Lozano Robledo provides support, especially during the summer with the curriculum. The summer is considered one of the heavier seasons of the fellowship with retreats.

“We do a lot of workshops with educational institutions and education partners, so I oversee the curriculum related to those workshops with educational institutions around supporting Latino student success,” said Lozano Robledo.

Lozano Robledo says LatinxEd wants to help create safe spaces for the Latinx community with help from the fellows, including healing for their personal development.

“The healing aspect of the work that we do is so beautiful to witness,” Lozano Robledo said. “Also, it’s healing that they can really lean into their culture and fully who they are when they are in space with us.”

LatinxEd is not just a space of practice for fellows who are there to learn and study, but also for staff who are there to help guide. Cisneros Perez says the staff are also on the journey of healing, learning and growing as individuals.

“We very much practice what we preach as staff members. We do not ask any fellow or anybody we work with to do something we have not tried ourselves and modeled ourselves to,” said Cisneros Perez.

LatinxEd is a place that welcomes all who are wanting and willing to strive for something more. It is a place for all generations to come and pursue educational pathways and diverse types of careers. The organization wants to inform the Latinx community that they have more choices than possibly their parents or older generations had.

“We are helping create the conditions for our education system to reflect the true cultural needs of our community and other communities too,” said Lozano Robledo.

“I really hope that everyone learns something new,” said Assistant Director of CREDE MJ Larrazabal. “I think these events are really cool because even if you are not Latinx or Hispanic, you get to come enjoy some food and enjoy some music.”

The kickoff event on Sept. 15 was attended by students, faculty and staff of different cultural backgrounds.

“You can learn something that’s different than your own,” Larrazabal said.

Katherine Sibrian Delgado ‘25 shared the significance of Hispanic Heritage Month her as a student at an institution where Hispanic students are in the minority.

“It means a lot seeing a lot of other people here celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with me, Delgado said. “I feel like we can all come together as a community.”

Along with food and music, various organizations and programs connected with attendees by offering more information about their initiatives. Anahy Felipe ’26 is the president of the Latinx/Hispanic Union and her table offered attendees the opportunity to learn about the student organization.

“We throw events mainly for the Latino community, but everyone’s welcome,” Felipe said. “It’s more of just having a community within our organization to kind of uplift and learn more about Latin culture and Latin customs,” said Felipe.

The Latinx/Hispanic Union promotes belonging and diversity at Elon and advocates on a variety of issues. Everyone was encouraged to participate, make new connections and be open to learning something new.

“All of the students and the student coordinators show support. It felt good to show that same support back,” said Kyla Maxwell ‘25.

Maxwell attended the event through her involvement with CREDE, which provides welcoming spaces across campus. The CREDE shows support for ALANAM communities: African-American/Black, Latinx/Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, Native American, Alaskan Native and multiracial.

Part of the CREDE is El Centro, which provides a space for education and promotes a better understanding of Latinx/Hispanic identities and cultures. The group also strives for cultural awareness and community service with the Latinx/Hispanic community. The CREDE and El Centro are groups that strive to promote conversation among students, faculty and staff.

“The event relates to identity and fulfillment for me because it lets minority students know that they have a safe space on campus or a place that they belong,” Maxwell said.

The first film, “Mama Irene: Healer of the Andes” (Directed by Elizabeth Mölhmann, PerĂș-USA, 2022) was screened on March 2. The documentary follows an indigenous healer, Mama Irene, from the Quechua Culture in the Peruvian Andes. She dedicates her life to helping other people with traditional methods and sacred indigenous medicines. The movie emphasizes a message to believe in the power of individual and collective healing, especially in communities confronting the lack of functional state health systems in remote areas. The screening was followed by a virtual conversation with the film director, Elizabeth Mölhmann, who shared with the audience her experience developing an audiovisual project based on non-Western epistemologies, and highlighted the relevance of empowering indigenous women in present times.

The second film, “They Are Killing Us/Nos estĂĄn matando” (Directed by Emily Wright and Tom Laffay, Colombia-USA, 2022) was screened on April 4. This film focuses on the persecution of indigenous and Afro-descendent leaders in Colombia, who are confronting the multinational corporations’ mining projects. The documentary denounces the systematic killing of community leaders in the context of the failure of the peace agreement signed by Colombian armed groups and the government in 2016. As part of this event, local and international activists from the U.S.-based organization Witness for Peace joined a conversation with the Elon community. In the session, Witness For Peace activists shared a first-hand perspective of the current human rights issues and environmental crisis in Colombia as well as opportunities for students to be involved in projects seeking to promote solidarity with racial minority communities.

The last screening of the festival was “Los Lobos” (Directed by Samuel Kishi, Mexico, 2019), on April 24. The movie follows brothers Max and Leo, two kids who have crossed the border from Mexico into the United States with their mother, LucĂ­a. They are in search of better life conditions on the other side. In a significant scene of the movie, Max and Leo build an imaginary universe with their drawings and think about Mom’s promise of “Disneyland,” their land of dreams. The film faces the audience with reality from the point of view of the kids, who wanted to experience the so-called American dream but instead ended up facing hard social conditions in the United States.

The foreign film festival of the 2024 Spring Semester offered unique opportunities to promote interculturality and diversity on Elon campus. The movies enriched students’ civic engagement in a global context and encouraged awareness of social, gender and racial issues concerning Latin American subaltern groups.

The 2024 Spring Semester Foreign Film Festival was presented by the Department of World Languages and Cultures; Latin American Studies; and Peace and Conflict Studies. It was also sponsored by Women’s, Gender, and Sexualities Studies; International and Global Studies; the Isabella Cannon Global Education Center; El Centro; Belk Library; ElonDocs; the Department of Sociology and Anthropology; and the Department of Philosophy.