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El PuebloThe First Year Latino CohortBy Melissa Zepeda, Junior, Department of Comparative Studies and Jane Newland, Sophomore, Department of Spanish and PortugueseThis fall, The Ohio StateUniversity’s Multicultural Centerstarted a First Year Latino Cohort.The idea behind the cohort is tocreate and cultivate a communityenvironment that many upperclassmenand alumni desiredwhen they were freshmen. Asa result of this group, incomingLatino students no longer needto struggle to find friends whoshare their cultural backgroundand interests. From day one oncampus, they have the optionof becoming part of a close-knitLatino CommunityWhen Indra Leyva,Intercultural Specialist at theMulticultural Center and founderof El Pueblo, first approached usto be co-leaders of this group, wewere eager to do so. How couldwe say no to joining a team thathelps new students find their wayaround campus while simultaneouslyhelping to mold the cohortfor future generations of Latinostudents? We simply couldn’t.Our initial goal was use ourexperiences as the basis forcreating an abundance of highlyaccessible resources for first yearLatinos. Within this mission, we wanted tocultivate flexibility by keeping the changingand multifaceted needs of this group in mind.We developed a custom curriculum as wewent along, relying on the expectations andactive participation of members.During El Pueblo’s first semester, weinvited guest speakers to share advice aboutdifferent opportunities and resources aroundcampus. Additionally, we hosted fun eventsfor the cohort, such as showing cultural filmssponsored by Alpha Psi Lambda throughtheir “Cine Latino” series. We encouragedstudents to get better acquainted with ourcampus via activities such as a scavengerhunt around the Ohio Union.Since the first meeting of the cohort,community service has played an importantrole in bringing us together. By the end ofthe first semester, we hand assembled anddonated fleece tie blankets to the local YWCAWomen’s Center, calling our service project“Bundle Up.” We also donated handmadeand newly bought hats, scarves, and mittensfor the cold winter months that were quicklyapproaching. Witnessing these studentsdedicate so much time and effort to creatingand donating needed goods demonstrateshow devoted we are to giving back to thecommunity and doing so as a united groupof growing citizen-scholars. To a person, themembers of El Pueblo are eager to make adifference. We have a great deal to offer notonly to OSU’s Latino community, but alsoto the larger university and surroundingcommunity.Leading El Pueblo has been as much ofa learning experience for us as coordinatorsas it has been for the students participatingin the cohort. As facilitators of the group,we have grown and changed together, constantlyreflecting upon and assessing thesuccess of our various activities.Recently, we welcomed two newleaders, Gabrielle Vásquez andDeborah Amézquita who bringthe kind of enthusiasm for cultivatingthe cohort that promises tomake us the strongest and mostconnected group of Latinos OSUhas witnessed to date.Recently, the members of ElPueblo shared what they enjoymost about our weekly gatheringsand what being part of thiscommunity means to them. IonySchmidt, first year, Psychologymajor reflects: “El Pueblo is like ahome away from home. It’s niceto come to the cohort and be withothers who appreciate and sharesimilar cultures.” First year Biologymajor Sebastián Mejía, adds, “Wehave a small community rightnow, but I’m sure that in the yearsto come, we will be able to growand keep sharing experiencesthat further our understanding ofnot only our own cultures, but ofthe cultures of others.”Although we are only in oursecond semester, we have accomplisheda tremendous amount. ElPueblo is finding its way by bothworking and playing together in service ofbuilding our community. With the supportof the community here at The Ohio StateUniversity, we expect to continue to grow,thrive, and excel.Jane Newland is a Spanish major planningto teach English as a Second Language in thefuture. In addition to El Pueblo, she is involved inthe OSU Latino Student Association and worksas an Aftercare Assistant at St. James the LessCatholic School in Columbus.Melissa Zepeda is a Comparative Studies majorworking on applying to graduate school. Inaddtion to El Pueblo, she is activley involvedin the Latino Student Association at OSU andworks in the Multicultural Center.El Pueblo meets every Thursday at 7:30 PM inthe Multicultural Center, Ohio Union.8