University Organizations (in alphabetical order)
Cuban-American Student Association
CASA is a newly revived student group dedicated to informing the community about Cuban American topics, offering various presentations and events throughout the academic year. Contact Yisel Valdes yv3@duke.edu for more information.
Duke Students for Humane Borders
Duke Students for Humane Borders is a student service organization whose purpose is to educate and spread awareness on issues concerning immigration, with emphasis on our nation's border with Mexico. Please see http://www.duke.edu/web/humaneborders/Welcome.html and/or contact Lucy at plz@duke.edu for more info.
Duke University Latino Alumni Association
DULAA is a recognized “affinity group” within the Duke Alumni Association. The website offers information on events and gatherings, as well as the relatively new Latino Alumni -sponsored scholarship for underprivileged Latino matriculates to Duke. Visit
http://www.dukealumni.com/__page/10122089.100.0.aspx
Gente Aprendiendo por Nuevas Oportunidades
GANO is an organization at Duke that “provides one-on-one ESL tutoring to help Spanish-speaking immigrants adjust to life in the United States.” Visit www.duke.edu/web/gano
Kappa Chapter of Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad/ Lambda Pi Chi Sorority, Inc.
“LPC is an organization whose central tenets not only affirm the importance of service to our communities but also encourage active participation in shaping our future. With the support of a strong Hermandad, we transcend the collegiate experience to become a vehicle for the promotion of the Latino community.”
http://www.duke.edu/web/lpc/
Latino Graduate Student Association
This group re-formed in the spring of 2008, and is now hosting a number of discussions. The association is made up of and for graduate and professional students who, regardless of whether or not they identify themselves as "latin@s", are interested in issues related to Latin@ communities inthe U.S., and, more specifically, in Duke and Durham. We seek to generate an environment in which we can come together to meet and support each other, as well as to engage in productive conversations and debates about, for instance, our positions in the university, our and others' academic work, and the latter's relationship with our social and political concerns. Please contact graduate student Kency Cornejo kency.cornejo@duke.edu if you are interested in being involved in the group.
Latino Pre-Health Society (LPHS)
The mission of LPHS is to unify Latino undergraduates interested in the health professions; to bridge the existing gap between undergraduates and Latino faculty, physicians, medical students, and other health professionals at the Duke University Medical Center; and to provide Latino undergrads with the resources and social support system needed to become competitive candidates for health professional schools.
If you're interested in learning more about our organization or are interested in becoming more involved, sign up for our e-mail list. Feel free to email Daphne Delgado at dad4@duke.edu or Lauren Delgado at lad16@duke.edu with additional questions. New Members are ALWAYS encouraged and we hope to see you at our next meeting!
Latino Students Association (Duke Law School)
“The goal of HLSA is to unite Hispanic law students and to provide a support network to connect students with alumni around the world. The organization was created to aid new students in making the transition into law school, and to encourage prospective Hispanic students to come to Duke. HLSA brings together a variety of individuals to discuss the issues they will face as Hispanic lawyers in the future, such as the responsibilities of a Hispanic lawyer in society, the need for positive role models in Hispanic communities, and the availability of inexpensive/free legal aid. These discussions are usually intermingled with social activities where Hispanic and other law students can experience the richness of Hispanic culture. HLSA is also very active in the university Hispanic group MI GENTE, which sponsors salsa parties and other social events. We endeavor to enhance Duke Law School's environment by sharing the richness of Hispanic culture with the school.” Contact 07-08 leaders, Sofia.Hernandez@law.duke.edu and Rafael.Langer-Osuna@law.duke.edu for more information.
Mi Gente Latino Student Association is the largest of the Latino student groups on campus, offering many social and academic events throughout the year. The organization “aims to represent and serve overlapping, diverse, and heterogeneous populations. Duke's 6.5% Latino population reflects Hispanic diversity in the United States, including students not only from predominant Latino regions (Florida and the Southwest, for example) but also from throughout the country. We also reach out to Duke students beyond those who identify as Latino or Hispanic.” Latino/a Studies supports and counts on support from Mi Gente, often working together; the organization also hosts events with a multitude of other student groups, including the Black Student Alliance, the Freeman Center for Jewish Life, and Chi Omega sorority. “We make a point out of making our events accessible to a broad population beyond both the Duke and Latino communities.” Visit the website for info and resources: http://www.duke.edu/web/migente/
Rho Chapter of La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc.
“La Unidad Latina is an organization founded to provide a structure for
the positive presence of underrepresented groups in Colleges and Universities
across the nation. La Fraternidad promotes intellectual, cultural, and academic
strength in its members in order to prepare them for lives as both leaders
and team members, in their community and otherwise. La Unidad Latina
believes in a diverse membership, a commitment to academic excellence and a
proactive vision towards raising awareness about the Latino culture and history.” Visit http://www.duke.edu/web/lul/
Sabrosura
Sabrosura is Duke’s Latin Dance Troupe. Visit http://dukesabrosura.blogspot.com/
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
The SHPE Duke chapter is coordinated by Ruben DeAlba, who may be contacted for more information at: rd24@duke.edu.
Student Action with Farmworkers
“SAF is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to bring students
and farmworkers together to learn about each other’s lives, share resources
and skills, improve conditions for farmworkers, and build diverse coalitions
working for social change. North Carolina ranks sixth in the nation in
the number of migrant farmworkers, 94% of whom speak Spanish as their native
language.” SAF goals include “linking student groups working
with farmworkers in order to share their experiences and ideas, creating internships
and other projects that are mutually beneficially for students and farmworkers,
and encouraging student commitment to justice and social action.” Visit
http://www-cds.aas.duke.edu/saf/ to
learn more and get involved.