Nowadays, the sense of belonging feels more restricted, like drawing a border wall  between your dreams and your freedom. Being part of the Latino Student Union has given me the power to have a voice for the Latino student community at Goshen College. LSU has allowed me to see the faces of courage, empowerment and leadership that are reflected in every member. It has been a place where I truly belong. A safe space in which, through laughter, different flavors, cultural traditions and lifetime stories, it represents a home away from home. As a Latina student, belonging to LSU is an act of pride. GC should  encourage more students to engage in meaningful groups as a reminder that we are here to  build bridges, not walls. Today, I celebrate my Hispanic roots by being part of the best group at GC: LSU! – Jeniffer P. Rodriguez

Being a part of LSU as leaders, we bring attention to multiple Latinx cultures that aren’t frequently represented. We bring awareness to real-life situations that our community is faced with. These are safe spaces to embrace yourself without judgment, and to express your culture along with other cultures. Affinity groups are important to our campus so we can feel a sense of belonging. For some of us, home is here, and for others, it’s far away. When we share our cultures and experiences with one another, we feel more connected. – T Rodriguez

In high school, a teacher and I wanted to create a “Latino Club.” The administration team told us that we could make this club, but we could not have the word “Latino” in it because it was an aggressive word. I thought, “I’m a Latina, does that mean I am also aggressive?” I joined the Latino Student Union at GC because I am a proud first-generation Latina, and I wanted to inspire other Latino students to feel that pride. These spaces represent our resilience and our strength as Latino Students. LSU and other affinity groups matter because we provide a safe space for students to connect and explore their own or others’ cultures.

– Angelica Garcia-Ponce

My role is meaningful because it helps me get experience and grow as a leader and as a person. In the future, when seniors graduate, I will have the capacity to take on a leadership role with more confidence, knowing how to manage LSU responsibilities. Affinity groups foster knowledge, awareness, and a safe place where students can lean, share experiences and build connections without fear of being judged. Let’s not forget that we also want others to have fun as well and relax. We learn to be open and empathic towards one another as we acknowledge that we are human and have both commonalities and differences. That’s what we are celebrating! – Summer Cuatepotzo Perez

I am a LSU leader in training, and I believe my role gives me the opportunity to grow as a leader and contribute ideas that support both our group and the broader campus. Affinity groups like LSU help students feel represented and connected. They create a sense of belonging and empower students to take on leadership roles, speak up for their communities and express their identities. These spaces are essential for building confidence and community. Affinity groups send a powerful message: You matter here. You belong here. You are not alone. – Bryan Sixtos-Armas

This year’s Hispanic Heritage Month Convocation drew 455 undergraduate students, and attendance exceeded that number if we consider the faculty and community members. Out of 695.5 full-time equivalent undergraduates, that’s about 65% of our campus undergraduate students. For many, this event was a moment to put names and faces to the political and cultural struggles shaping our community at home. During the opening convocation, President Rebecca Stoltzfus said, “Liberation and dignity require that we make room — living room, elbow room, room to breathe, room to grow.” LSU invites us to do exactly that, to make room for cultures, languages and stories that expand our view and perspectives. With this, I invite you to keep showing up, listening and making room for one another, even when our backgrounds and stories are different. – Fernando Daza-Jabian

Being a LSU leader has been one of the most meaningful parts of my college experience. It gives me the chance to represent my people, celebrate my culture and create spaces where others feel seen and valued. Affinity groups like LSU are powerful because they remind students that they belong, that their stories, languages and traditions matter. Through our events, we bring people together to connect, learn,and take pride in who they are. I’m proud to be Colombian, and I want others to feel that same pride in their roots. Being Latino is more than an identity; it’s a community, a celebration, and a source of strength. – Luisa Malaver

This is my first year as an LSU leader, and I am so excited to become more involved. It was important to join LSU because I believe that affinity groups can provide a safe space for students on campus. I was sheltered from my heritage as a child, but in the two months since I began meeting with my fellow leaders, I have felt welcomed and connected to people like me. LSU is a fantastic representation of our Latino students and is a space where everyone is welcome. We don’t turn people away — everyone is welcome at our events, and it’s an amazing way of getting to know new cultures. – Alianna Reyna