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It’s National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15), and we’re sitting down with one of Ivy Tech Fort Wayne and Warsaw's student organizations that celebrates Hispanic heritage all year long.

GOAL y Amigos members serve up delicious food courtesy of Neighborhood Smokehouse BBQ at 2022's Hispanic Heritage Month event.

Established around 2015, Graduating Outstanding Achieving Latinos and Friends is aimed to increase the visibility of Latino students and their involvement in campus and community activities. This organization is open to everyone interested in positive engagement with the Latino culture.

We’re sitting down with the club’s advisor Nathaly Diaz and president Marbin Molina-Guerrero to talk about this organization and plans for the future.

What is GOAL?

Nathaly: “GOAL y Amigos is a place where Latino and Hispanic students can find their community and one another, but it’s also for other students who just want to find a support group and network.”

Marbin: “We create a safe space for Hispanic students at Ivy Tech; however, we’re also a safe space for anybody who wants to get involved in the Latino community and get to know about the Latino culture. So, we welcome anybody and everybody who wants to join regardless of race or ethnicity.”

How did you get involved?

Marbin: “I started with the organization in 2020, and then I became treasurer for one semester before becoming president.”

2022's Día de los Muertos event featured beautifully decorated ofrendas and gave attendees the opportunity to learn more about this important holiday in Mexican culture.

Nathaly: “I got involved with GOAL y Amigos in 2016, when I first started at Ivy Tech. I became the secretary my second year, left to continue my education, and now I’m back as the advisor.”

What are some things you do in GOAL?

Nathaly: “We hold several events on campus, but we also do a lot of community volunteer events that gives students the opportunity to network and help the community. We get together with Kiwanis, another organization in the community.”

Marbin: “As part of GOAL, we attend conferences, do volunteer work within the community, and go on trips. So, it’s a lot of fun!”

Why should people join?

Marbin: “You create a network of people. We have people from different majors, and students who are pursing different levels of higher education. When you graduate, you’ll know different people out in the community in different careers like healthcare, hospitality, agriculture, and business.”

Nathaly: “Joining organizations like GOAL y Amigos can lead to friendships that surpass college. I’ve made so many friends through Ivy Tech and this organization, and they’re all over the world now, which has helped me make valuable connections.”

Meetings are every other Tuesday at 5 p.m. in room 2252 in Harshman Hall, also known as the MIX.

The organization is partnering with Student Life for a Be sure to stop by the Student Life Commons (3701 Dean Drive) for music and food while also getting to learn about Hispanic and Latino culture.

Want to learn more about getting involved? Email Nathaly Diaz at ndiaz4@ivytech.edu.

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