Message from Abe Dones, Vice President, Chief Student Services Officer

Each year, Hispanic Heritage Month provides us with an opportunity to celebrate the histories, cultures, contributions, and experiences of Hispanic and Latino communities. At Durham Tech, this celebration is especially meaningful because it reflects something fundamental to who we are as a college: our diversity strengthens our learning community.

For me, Hispanic Heritage Month is both personal and communal. As a proud Puerto Rican and someone whose own educational journey was deeply shaped by my family’s belief in the transformative power of education, I recognize that my path was made possible by family, culture, education, and the sacrifices of those who came before me. Those experiences remind me that every student who enters Durham Tech brings a story, a family, a culture, and aspirations that enrich our classrooms and our College.

This month also presents an important educational opportunity. Learning does not occur only through textbooks, lectures, or assignments. It happens when we encounter perspectives different from our own, become curious about one another’s experiences, and create spaces where people feel seen, valued, and welcomed. Celebrating Hispanic heritage invites all of us—not only those who identify as Hispanic or Latino—to learn more about the histories and cultures that have helped shape our communities, our nation, and our world.

Our responsibility as educators extends beyond providing access to college. We must create an environment where students develop a genuine sense of belonging and can see themselves reflected in the institution they have chosen.

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, I hope we will enjoy the music, food, language, traditions, and celebrations, but also go deeper. Let us listen to one another’s stories, learn from our differences, recognize our shared humanity, and celebrate the extraordinary richness our students and employees bring to Durham Tech every day.

That is how we transform diversity from something we simply recognize into something from which we all learn and grow.