Nuevo Comienzo

16th Annual El Nuevo Comienzo Latina/o/x & Native Student Graduation Celebration

Tuesday, April 29, 2025
6 to 8 p.m.
Student Center Ballroom

The 2025 Nuevo Comienzo planning committee extends a warm welcome to all graduating students!

El Nuevo Comienzo (or new beginning) highlights the success and achievements of Latina/o/x and Native graduates at Wayne State University. It provides a time and space for honoring the support and contributions of family, friends, mentors and the community. El Nuevo Comienzo is open to all undergraduate, graduate and professional school students from WSU.

All participating graduates will receive:

Hand-made Cambaya graduation stole
Complimentary individual and group high-res photos
Personalized certificate commemorating the day
Name and degree listed in the souvenir program booklet
Individualized recognition during the event
Name, degree, and photo included in print ad in El Central Newspaper

Other ceremony elements:

Refreshments after the ceremony
Mingling and professional photographer
Special performance

Hosted by the Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies (CLLAS) in partnership with the Native/Aboriginal Development Network (NDN) Learning Community, Office of Multicultural Student Engagement (OMSE), and the Latinx Faculty and Staff Association (LFSA).

For more information on the event, call the CLLAS main office at (313) 577-4738.

Frequently asked questions

Is this event the same as University Commencement?

No, El Nuevo Comienzo is a cultural celebration. Wayne State University hosts official commencement ceremonies for in December and May. Full details on WSU Commencement at https://wayne.edu/commencement. We encourage all eligible graduates to register for and participate in Commencement.

Why is there a Latina/o/x and Native student celebration?

The Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies (CLLAS), in partnership with the Native/Aboriginal Development Network (NDN) Learning Community and other WSU organizations, has hosted El Nuevo Comienzo since 2010. This event was initially created to celebrate graduating students who had participated in CLLAS programs but was later expanded so more students at WSU could take part.

El Nuevo Comienzo highlights the success and achievements of Latina/o/x and Native students, who make up a very small percentage of WSU’s student body, while providing a time and space for honoring the support and contributions of family, friends, mentors and the community. CLLAS has roots in the Detroit Latino/a Community and WSU that go back more than 50 years. This event celebrates those ties.

Do I have to identify as Latina/o/x or Native to participate in El Nuevo Comienzo?

No, all graduating students at WSU are welcome to participate and we mean it. Over the years, many students from various ethnic or cultural backgrounds have participated in El Nuevo Comienzo. Some minored in or took classes in Latino/a and Latin American Studies, others had participated in CLLAS or NDN learning community activities, and still others had close friends or loved ones from the Latino/a and Native communities and wanted show support.

How do I sign up to participate?

Graduates who want to be included in the ceremony should RSVP and submit details here by April 1, 2025 (to meet the deadline for the printing of the program booklet).

May I bring guests?

Yes, graduates can bring up to six guests. Guests do not need to RSVP. We will send out a logistical email to the graduates to share with their guests and will also post the information online. If you need to bring more than six guests or if any guests need accommodations, please email Pamela Esparza at gh1513@wayne.edu.

What should I wear?

Graduates are encouraged to wear their graduation regalia. If not wearing a cap and gown, we recommend semi-formal attire, as there will be professional photographers at the event. Some students incorporate cultural elements into their attire. We recommend guests wear business casual attire for photographs.