2024-2025 Fellowship Cohort
#SOMOSNC
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North Carolina's Latine student population is surging, but the classrooms they walk into, the policies shaping their education, and the leaders making decisions rarely reflect who they are. For Latine educators working inside those same systems, the reality is just as isolating — carrying the weight of representation with little power to change things.
The LatinxEd Fellowship was created to disrupt that pattern, equipping Latine youth and education professionals with the skills, community, and culturally rooted support to stop navigating broken systems and start reshaping them.
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Two distinct pathways nurture leadership development at every stage.
Select a pathway below to explore eligibility and what to expect.
Every fellow brings a different story. What they share is the experience of being invested in, challenged, and connected to something bigger.
The Latinxed served as a stepping stone to make the leap into higher leadership opportunities. I was able to expand my professional network and receive assistance to push my educational agenda. It was a game changer in my career as I got more visibility locally and state-wide.
Christian Walter (2021 Fellow), Principal of the Silvia Mendez Newcomers School in Guilford County Schools
The LatinxEd fellowship has been transformative in advancing my leadership and supporting other Latine leaders and learners. While I always knew I had leadership potential, LatinxEd helped me truly believe in my own power and abilities.
It strengthened my storytelling skills, allowing me to connect more deeply with others and advocate more effectively for my community. This growth in confidence and skill has led me to achieve things I never imagined, like being a keynote speaker and writing an op-ed. LatinxEd has not only affirmed my role as a leader but also empowered me to inspire and uplift others in my community.
Elizabeth Herrera (2023 Fellow), Co-Founder and Director of Community Advancement, Casa Azul de Wilson
This experience has been truly unique and wonderful. It was exactly what I needed at this point in my professional career. It helped me realize that even when we feel like we are fighting alone in our communities, there is a network of support across the state — and people nearby who are ready to stand with us.
The activities, conversations, and professional development opportunities focused on building new skills to advance educational equity for our community have meant so much to me. Thank you for your solidarity, love, and dedication in making this possible.
Silvia Martin del Campo Vargas (2024 Fellow), Director of the Latinx Education Center at McDowell Community College
The fellowship has helped me more clearly identify what I want for not only my education but also the education of others. I feel more passionate about helping students with similar struggles achieve their educational goals.
Meeting other fellows has made me feel more supported and understood, as despite all of us having different life stories and struggles, we have all found ways to connect with each other and create safe spaces for us to share ideas.
Carolina Soriano Vanegas (2024 Fellow), College Student
The fellowship has helped me become a more confident leader and has connected me to other professionals that have a common vision for education and are already implementing programs that I would like to see at my school.
The fellowship cohort serves as a reservoir of experience and knowledge I can draw from to come up with ways to support the community I work with.
Celeste Cervantes (2024 Fellow), 4th Grade Teacher, Wake County Schools
My sense of connection and collaboration is stronger because I realized that I don't have a small circle of people that support me, but a whole state of people who have gone through the same battles.
These connections have also led me to other people who can support and help me develop skills for my future profession.
Fernanda Zelaya Torres (2025 Fellow), High School Student
Being part of this fellowship really expanded my sense of community with Latine leaders across the state. Instead of just knowing people by name or seeing their work from a distance, I actually got to connect with them as humans.
Hearing their stories and seeing their commitment made me feel like, “no soy la unica y no estoy sola."It also pushed me to reach out more and not stay in my own bubble. I started noticing how our work overlaps and how much stronger we are when we share information or support each other’s projects.
Andressia Ramirez (2025 Fellow), Engagement Coordinator, North Carolina Justice Center
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The fellowship has allowed me to meet others who were in my position, and they have helped inform me about the numerous resources and opportunities available to further pursue my passion, not only in my career but also in my community.
Carlos Sacerio (2025 Fellow), College Student
LatinxEd provided me with a boost of confidence and orgullo of being Latino educator in the South. The fellowship allowed me to be surrounded by like minded people driven to make an impact in our community.
Elmer Orellana (2021 Fellow), DEI Campus Recruiting Specialist
Every Fellowship pathway is a months-long commitment — and a meaningful one. From your first retreat to Graduation in November, each milestone is designed to build on the last, deepening your leadership, your connections, and your impact.
Select your pathway below to explore the key moments that shape the Fellowship experience.
April 5th, 2026
May 1st, 2026
May 20th, 2026
July 20th- July 24th, 2026
August–October
August–October, 2026
November 14. 2026
April 5th, 2026
May 1st. 2026
May 16th, 2026
June 23rd- 27th, 2026
July - October, 2026
August - October, 2026
November 14, 2026
Here's what to know so you can put your best self forward.
You'll record a 2–3 minute video telling us who you are, where you're from, and what skills or knowledge you hope to gain. You can upload a video file or link an unlisted YouTube video. Only the selection committee will see it.
Your video must be in MP4 file format or a link to an unlisted Youtube video.
The application includes written-response questions and a video — plan to spend meaningful, focused time on it.
For your application to be considered complete, each form field must be answered. Incomplete applications cannot be reviewed.
Review All QuestionsYou're invited to submit your application in English, Spanish, or Spanglish. Our review team is bilingual.
The questions are designed to learn about who you are as a leader and learner. Trust your voice, embrace vulnerability, and practice courage.
The in-person summer retreat marks the beginning of your fellowship — an incredible opportunity for community building, self-reflection, and connection with fellow leaders who share your vision.
LatinxEd covers the cost of meals for Fellows. Transportation is provided daily from selected pickup sites in Orange, Durham, and Wake County. Students outside the Triangle area provide their own transportation to a pick-up site.
LatinxEd covers the cost of housing and meals for Fellows during this experience. Adult participants are expected to provide their own transportation to and from retreat locations.
