LA COMUNIDAD

A Living Learning Community

Latine  (pronounced la· ti· ne) is a gender-neutral form of the word Latino, created by LGBTQIA+, gender non-binary, and feminist communities in Spanish speaking countries. The objective of the term Latine is to remove gender from the Spanish word Latino, by replacing it with the gender-neutral Spanish letter E. This idea is native to the Spanish language and can be seen in many gender-neutral words like “estudiante." 

What is La Comunidad?

La Comunidad aims to create a welcoming and supportive community centering the identities of Latine students through the celebration and affirmation of Latine student experiences at WWU and beyond, and providing a shared space for connection.

 La Comunidad offers residents opportunities to engage in culturally-centered programming, community involvement, and connections with resources.

students outside Clark Glass
Papel picado
students in a lab

Location

For the 2026-27 academic year, La Comunidad is located on the 6th floor of Alma Clark Glass Hall.

Alma Clark Glass Hall is set on the hill above campus and just minutes away from Ridgeway Commons and Red Square.

Benefits of La Comunidad

  • Live with students of shared or similar interest in Latine culture, history, and social and contemporary issues.
  • Give back to the community through service.
  • Opportunities to speak and practice Spanish language.
  • Academic support and professional development.
  • Engage in community events and celebrations through meaningful programming that promotes cross-cultural connections and celebration, shared personal and scholarly experiences, and life-long relationships. 

How to Join

Students indicate interest in La Comunidad via the housing application. Students are accepted into La Comunidad on a first-come basis. 

If you mark interest on your application, you will be notified in your housing offer email if you are accepted into La Comunidad or on the waitlist.

La Plaza event
students on campus

Goals for La Comunidad

  1. To build a caring and connected community among residents in La Comunidad.
     
  2. To provide students with opportunities for learning and development of their own multidimensional personal and social identities.
     
  3. To connect residents with resources across campus that promote academic success and personal wellness. 

Resident Expectations

  • Events in the residential community (floor and building specific)
    • Ex. Cultural Dinners, Study nights,  
  • Events hosted by La Plaza
    • Ex. La Bienvenida, Latine heritage month events, Dia de los Muertos, etc..
  • Respectful and open to varied cultural practices within the diverse community.  
  • Live in compliance with the community standards at WWU.

Recommended course for fall is coming soon, Instructor: Lourdes Gutierrez Nájera, PhD 

Support for La Comunidad

  • Ammon Milligan, Assistant Director of Residence Life
  • Thurman Clark, Supervising Resident Director
  • Lourdes Gutierrez Nájera, PhD, Ethic Studies Instructor
  • Rodrigo Gonzalez-Juarez, Latine Student Retention Specialist

Disability Access

University Residences works in partnership with the Disability Access Center (DAC). Students requesting accommodation must complete both a Housing application and a DAC Needs Assessment. For details and timeline, visit Housing’s Disability Accommodation.   

Questions?

We welcome your questions about La Comunidad LLC. Contact reslife@wwu.edu for more information.