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.
2024 Program
View program booklet (pdf)
Keynote speaker: Chris Cardenas-Graham, Global Capacity Planning Specialist, Ford
Student speakers: Genesis Ethridge, Daniela Peredo, Julie Rodriguez-Espinoza
Performance by: Ballet Folklórico WSU
2023 Program
2022 Program
View program booklet (pdf)
Keynote speaker: Rachel Yamakura, Director of Equity & Inclusion, Lansing Community College, WSU '08
Student speakers: Nathalie McCabe, Edgar Hernandez Armenta, Alyssa Vasquez
Performance by: Mariachi Femenil Detroit
2021 Program
View program booklet (pdf)
Keynote speaker: Mayra Bravo, Manager, DTE Energy
Student speakers: Mayra Torres, Leisly Torres, Kely Perez, Eddy Gonzalez-Ramirez
Performance by: Elvin Ferreira, Raval Tres
2020 Program
2019 Program
View program booklet (pdf)
Keynote speaker: Lawrence Garcia, Principal Attorney, City of Detroit
Student speakers: Kimberly Kleinhans, Josue Salas, Jasmin Maciel Gutierrez
Performance by: Reto Norteño Banda
2018 Program
View program booklet (pdf)
Keynote speaker: Ashley Tuomi, DHSc, Chief Executive Officer, American Indian Health & Family Services
Student speakers: Micheline Silva, David Pitawanakwat, Lilian Roa
Performance by: BombaRica