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The Center for Latino Heritage and Spanish Language Excellence (CLaSE) is the first cultural and academic center in New Jersey dedicated to supporting the Hispanic, Latino and Spanish-speaking communities, including Latin American indigenous communities.
Established in November 2024, CLaSE offers numerous academic opportunities to help foster Spanish language speaking at Montclair and engage with the Hispanic and Latino communities.
Programs like the Latino Oral History Program are devoted to Spanish-speaking communities while the Latin American Indigenous Collaborative, has welcomed indigenous communities from Ecuador, Mexico and Guatemala.
CLaSE has fostered an inclusive environment that values multilingualism and multiculturalism.
Antonella Calarota-Ninman, director of CLaSE, in her office located inside the center in Schmitt Hall. Emily Ramirez | The Montclarion
Antonella Calarota-Ninman, director of CLaSE, speaks about the center’s mission.
“[Our] mission is academic and cultural — academically, to support the students in their journey for learning, improving, or starting from zero with Spanish,” Calarota-Ninman said. “The other part of [our] mission is the cultural support and growth of our university; we are committed to distributing and fostering collaboration with indigenous communities.”
CLaSE opened a Spanish writing center that offers online and in-person tutoring sessions, as well as writing workshops that are offered once a month, dedicated to specific topics to improve writing skills.
Students can get a graduate certificate in Spanish for health professionals, and in fall 2026, undergraduate certificates in Spanish for business, Spanish for justice studies, and Spanish for health professionals will be available.
The center is comprised of a small team, including the director, a program coordinator and student workers, all deeply involved in the mission and vision of CLaSE.
Victoria Sosa is the Digital and Social Media specialist at the Center for Latine and Spanish Academic Success and Excellence at Montclair State University. Gwenyth Greenspan | The Montclarion
Victoria Sosa, social media specialist for CLaSE, has been involved with the center since the beginning. She says she was drawn to the center because of its mission.
“I wanted to be a part of something that helps students recognize who they are, understand where they come from, and learn more about other cultures,” Sosa said. “Being able to contribute to that kind of environment felt really meaningful to me.”
One of the ways CLaSE accomplishes that mission is through Hablamos Español, a twice-weekly conversation meetup that is open to anyone who wants to practice or improve their Spanish, from beginners to fluent speakers. In addition, it offers a free workshop series, English for the Community, for those who may need help with basic English communication skills.
The office for the Center for Latine and Spanish Academic Success and Excellence at Montclair State University. Gwenyth Greenspan | The Montclarion
Sosa shares why spaces like CLaSE matter on campus.
“Especially with everything happening in our country today, it’s important that Latino and Hispanic students, faculty and non-students have a space where they can express themselves and know they are not alone,” Sosa said. “ At the same time, it’s also a welcoming space for anyone interested in the Spanish language and cultures within Hispanic countries. The center helps build community and understanding between cultures.”
Some students think CLaSE is only an academic center offering tutoring services. Sosa further adds that some students may also assume CLaSE is not open for everyone.
“Some people may assume that CLaSE is only for students of Hispanic background, but that’s not the case,” Sosa said. “Our director is Italian, yet she plays a vital role in supporting and strengthening our community.”
She explains that the CLaSE team is made up of people from diverse backgrounds who may not be Hispanic but appreciate the culture and contribute to CLaSE’s mission. Sosa emphasizes that CLaSE is for everyone.
Promotional material in the office for the Center for Latine and Spanish Academic Success and Excellence at Montclair State University. Gwenyth Greenspan | The Montclarion
“CLaSE is for anyone who is open to learning, growing, and being part of a supportive and understanding community,” Sosa said. “You don’t have to speak Spanish or identify as Latino to belong here. If you’re interested in culture, language, community or simply meeting new people, there’s a place for you here at this center.”
Calarota-Ninman reiterates this point, adding that the center’s programs are designed to include everyone.
“Our initiatives are not only in Spanish,” Calarota-Ninman said. “We try to [make] our initiatives bilingual, so even students who may not have any interest, or may not know any Spanish, can stay involved in our events, be involved in our initiatives and be part of a community.”
