VOCES Fellows
Let’s build community and make our voices heard!
Do You Speak Spanish at Home?
Are you interested in…
- Improving your Spanish-language skills?
- Learning your family’s story?
- Assisting in documenting the history of Latinos in the surrounding community?
Become a VOCES Fellow!
As an inaugural VOCES Fellow, you will participate in a unique opportunity next semester. You’ll build community on campus and nearby, connect with students and faculty, and have the chance to invite your family into your educational process.
It will also look great on your resume!
What is VOCES?
VOCES: Oral Histories and Spanish for Heritage Speakers is a new project at Purchase College that seeks to build community among Spanish-speaking students, their families, staff, and the larger community. It’s funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
What Will VOCES Fellows Do?
As you improve your Spanish language skills, you’ll learn your own families’ stories and assist in documenting the history of Latinos in the area around Purchase.
We will produce video and audio recordings of these histories in English and Spanish. The stories we record will be published via a digital archive for anyone to hear and through a textbook to help others learn Spanish. And public exhibitions will showcase our stories and who we are.
The work you do matters!
What Will You Learn?
You’ll build many skills as you contribute to this lasting project, including:
- Spanish language
- Conducting interviews
- Video and audio production
- Content creation
- Digital mapping
- Community building
Are There Requirements?
In addition to your enthusiasm and willingness to work hard, you must come from a home where Spanish is spoken.
(If not, and you’re interested in the project, you can still apply! Please complete the form, and we’ll follow up with you.)
I’d Like to Participate. What’s Next?
Fill out this form to let us know you’re interested.
Then, Enroll in the Course below
To prepare you for the work we will do, you will need to enroll in this course in Fall 2024.
1. HIS3875: Digital Histories Studio: Oral Narratives and Archives in Production
Professor Leandro Benmergui
This hands-on course invites students to transform oral histories into captivating digital projects. From archiving and transcribing interviews to producing video and audio clips, podcasts, and interactive maps, participants will learn the art of narrative production. Students work on uncovering the past and the present by amplifying voices, and creating a lasting legacy through the lens of modern technology.
Tuesdays and Fridays, 2:30–4:10 pm
Questions?
Please contact Professor Leandro Benmergui