Montclair Launches Center for Latino Heritage and Spanish Language Excellence (CLaSE)

Montclair State University has launched the Center for Latino Heritage and Spanish Language Excellence (CLaSE), the first academic center in New Jersey dedicated specifically to Latino, Hispanic, and Spanish-speaking communities. Embracing the Spanish language as an asset, CLaSE will provide a hub of resources, support, and opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and collaborators both on and off campus.

Founded with a twofold mission, CLaSE aims to foster the academic and personal growth of Latino and Spanish-speaking students while also building collaborative relationships with Latin American indigenous communities residing in New Jersey and New York. This center will serve as a vibrant platform to celebrate and promote the rich cultural heritage and contributions of Latin American and Spanish-speaking communities.

“As the first university in New Jersey to establish an academic center created specifically for Latino students, Spanish-speaking communities, and indigenous groups, we are committed to providing innovative educational initiatives that promote multicultural awareness and global competencies,” says Antonella Calarota-Ninman, Director of CLaSE.

Innovative Programs for Students and the Community

CLaSE will offer a variety of tailored support services, including mentorship programs and cultural activities, all designed to enhance student success and multicultural awareness.  The Center features four key components that make it an essential resource for the university and its surrounding community:

1. Spanish Writing Center – Addressing the needs of Montclair’s fast-growing population of students who speak or understand Spanish but may lack professional-level writing skills, the Spanish Writing Center will be open to all students, faculty, and staff from all majors and levels. The center will offer workshops each semester, along with drop-in hours and virtual appointments, to help users improve their Spanish writing skills and polish their style across different registers and genres. This resource is a critical tool for students looking to strengthen their proficiency and confidence in professional Spanish writing.
2. Certificates in Spanish for Careers – Recognizing the value of bilingualism in today’s professional landscape, beginning in Fall 2025, CLaSE will offer a Certificate in Spanish for Careers, nurturing students not just as bilingual speakers but as bicultural professionals. This program is in line with the University’s status as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and empowers students as they pursue future career paths. The certificate, which can be completed in person or fully online, offers three tracks: Spanish for Business, Spanish for Health (Undergraduate and Graduate), and Spanish for Justice Studies. Available to all Montclair students as well as those outside the university, it provides a practical way for students to enhance their career opportunities.
3. Oral History Program for the Latino Community (HOLA) – The first project of its kind among New Jersey state colleges, HOLA (Historia Oral de los Latinos y Archivo digital) is dedicated to documenting and preserving the stories of the Latino community within and beyond Montclair State University. Through this initiative, the university will build an archive that highlights the migration journeys, adaptation processes, cultural shocks, and linguistic challenges of the Latino population. Faculty, scholars, and departments will be able to access this archive for research, teaching, and data collection. HOLA’s activities, which include interviews, keynote speaker events, workshops, and community gatherings, are all available through its bilingual website, holamontclairstate.org.
4. Latin American Indigenous Collaborative (LAIC) – As the first initiative in New Jersey focusing on indigenous communities from Latin America, LAIC is designed to support the tri-state area’s diverse indigenous populations. The collaborative will create a digital oral history archive, provide a physical space for indigenous groups to gather, and host events featuring indigenous leaders to share their cultures and traditions with the Montclair State community. In addition, LAIC seeks to develop reciprocal learning programs where indigenous languages, alongside Spanish, will be taught to those interested in deepening their cultural and linguistic knowledge.

A Hub for Innovation and Multicultural Understanding

CLaSE sets a new precedent as the first university-led initiative of its kind in New Jersey, focusing not only on Latino and Spanish-speaking students but also on fostering partnerships with indigenous groups. Montclair State University’s commitment to multicultural awareness and global competencies shines through in this initiative, providing a space for learning, cultural exchange, and community empowerment.

“Through CLaSE, we aim to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive environment that celebrates the Spanish language as a valuable asset,” says Calarota-Ninman. “We are thrilled to embark on this journey together to establish a welcoming space that honors the voices, cultures, and experiences of our Latino, Spanish-speaking, and Indigenous communities.”

Students, faculty, and community members will benefit from a center that blends academics with a deep appreciation for cultural diversity. As CLaSE embarks on this mission, the University is poised to continue leading the way in supporting the growing Latino and indigenous populations across the region while preparing students for success in an increasingly globalized world.