Hispanos Unidos de Guilford, better known as H.U.G., continues to play an active role in building cultural connections and community on Guilford College’s campus. The organization brings together students from diverse Hispanic and multicultural backgrounds, offering a place to share experiences and create an inclusive space for cultural learning and support.
Through events, community-building activities and peer engagement, H.U.G. has become a comfortable space for students seeking belonging or friendship.
Leyla Strong, marketing chair of H.U.G., said the club has been a meaningful part of her college experience.
“I really enjoy it. I’ve been a part of it since my freshman year,” Strong said. “It’s really good to see all of the culture, and it brought me closer to my own and allowed me to learn more. Learning more about everyone’s different Hispanic cultures is really cool to see.”
Members of H.U.G. look forward to the club’s events and weekly gatherings, which create a welcoming environment for all students on campus, regardless of background.
Itzell Mendoza, lead program coordinator of H.U.G., said she joined the organization after arriving on campus and immediately noticing Guilford’s strong Hispanic presence.
“The reason why I joined H.U.G. was that when I first got to Guilford, it was my first time away from home in an area where the majority of the population was Hispanic,” Mendoza said.
Coming from North Myrtle Beach, where there is not a large Hispanic community, Mendoza said the change felt refreshing.
“Experiencing such a large community of Hispanics—it was exciting,” she said. Discovering H.U.G. made her feel welcomed, and former club president Josue Fuentes invited her to join the executive board.
According to Mendoza, the club is doing its best to stay positive and visible amid campus challenges.
“I really appreciate H.U.G. because without it, I don’t believe I would be as involved as I am,” Mendoza said. For her, the club is a reminder that community can be found and formed anywhere.
Some students say H.U.G. extends beyond cultural identity. Sophomore Yassine Aallam said he was drawn in by the club’s strong programming and positive atmosphere.
“I was interested in joining clubs that offer great events and that have a good environment to be in,” Aallam said. His friends encouraged him to check out the group, but he ultimately decided to join on his own.
“The events they hosted were really fun,” he said. “They were engaging and entertaining, and so I felt like I could really be a part of the team and help out in making events sometimes more fun.”
Aallam’s involvement grew after learning more about the roles within the organization.
“One of the positions that stood out to me was the one I’m in right now, which is the program coordinator,” he said. In that role, he helps reserve spaces and coordinate event planning. He said the responsibilities have been rewarding and have given him a meaningful way to contribute to the community.
H.U.G. is preparing for several events to end the semester, including an upcoming Posada—a traditional Hispanic Christmas celebration—in the Community Center.
“We’ll have food, and it’s a fun event,” Aallam said. “I can’t get too deep into it, but trust me, it’s going to be good.”
Earlier this semester, H.U.G. also hosted a 5v5 soccer tournament featuring teams from different colleges.
“Our events are usually well thought through, and with the help of everybody on our team, we really make sure that our events are very entertaining and as fun as possible,” Aallam said.
Students interested in joining can get involved by attending meetings or reaching out to executive board members. The club recently wrapped up its fall interest meetings, but leaders encourage students to keep an eye out for upcoming opportunities. H.U.G. plans to reopen membership at the beginning of next year, giving more students a chance to get involved.
With ongoing programming and a growing presence on campus, H.U.G. hopes to continue strengthening its community and welcoming new members into the fold.
