Hispanic Heritage Month: Student club Cambiando Caminos celebrates Latinx students at Durham Tech

It was October 2014 when Durham Tech hosted three Latino Student Success Focus groups to solicit input from the Latino student population. The sessions resulted in a group of five students forming a new student club called Cambiando Caminos, or Changing Paths.

The club was officially formed in January 2015 and has been on a mission to strengthen the identity and presence of Latino students at Durham Tech while providing a sense of place and belonging.

Former club president, Bryan Rodriguez, joined Cambiando Caminos in 2018 as a new student.

“As a Hispanic, I felt welcomed with open arms and in an environment that allowed me to explore the world around me and to be happy about being a Hispanic,” he said. “This club I feel like is a home for me and something that everyone deserves to experience. At the end of the day Cambiando Caminos is a club that changed me into being a better man.”

The club meets weekly and is active both on and off campus. They participate in activities that involve educational advancement, self-improvement, and community outreach, including Campus Latin Nights, Zumba/Latin Dance Classes, and College Night at the NC Museum of Art.

They also volunteer locally and visit area schools to share their personal stories and encourage other Latino students to pursue higher education.

Heidi White, Director of International Student Services and Study Abroad at Durham Tech, served as the club advisor last year.

“I was so honored to witness the tremendous growth personally and professionally of students who participated in the club in past years. Students built strong friendships with other club members and supported each other during difficulties and celebrated individual and group accomplishments,” she said. “I think the club was an important pillar for the students and kept them grounded and supported and also gave them a great social network.”

The club values inclusiveness and diversity, so any Durham Tech student is welcome to join. For questions about joining, contact club advisor Jesus Gomez-Cespedes.