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CAMPUSPEAK

Keynotes

What We Owe Each Other

We are living through a crisis of connection in America, marked by rising loneliness and a fundamental breakdown in how we engage with one another—not just in close relationships, but in our public spaces and communities. In the face of this crisis, Noel centers the radical premise that we owe each person we meet something—our attention, our grace, our willingness to be changed by encounter.

In a society that prioritizes individual achievement, we must start to see collective care as a civic duty. Citing Noel’s lived experiences as a friend, partner, child, and teacher, they move beyond abstract ideals of “being nice” to offer concrete, actionable solutions for creating conditions where authentic relationships can flourish. Then, drawing from nearly 20 years in community organizing and storytelling spaces, Noel expands on how the simple act of making space for others to share their stories creates belonging at scale.

By the end of this session, participants will have practiced making space for a stranger’s story, experienced being heard, and learned how personal vulnerability and accountability becomes the foundation for broader social connection, whether in our workplaces, schools, communities, or public spaces.

The Contradiction of Latinidad

With the increased focus on the Latino population in America, there is a mounting fear and dismissal of the inherent contradictions this community brings. Are Latinos Black or White, fluent or not fluent, culturally assimilated or culturally obstinate? As more and more confusion surrounds Latinidad, Noel turns to their favorite contradiction: the Puerto Rican word, WEPA, used both to acknowledge mistakes and to celebrate. Fueled by this word, it is Noel’s belief that, in its complexity, Latinidad offers us the opportunity to view all identities with more nuance.

Using personal storytelling, empirical data on Latino identity development, and historical pillars in the cultural & political history of Latinos in America, Noel invites students to embrace the contradictions of identity. At a time where our country is grappling with questions of immigration, language, and who gets to call themselves American, Noel highlights complexity, accountability, and belonging as a path forward.

Working With Instead of For

“If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” – Aboriginal Activist Collective.

As a former Associate Director of Service Learning & Civic Engagement, Noel has worked with hundreds of students to create impactful projects built at the intersection of passion, accountability, and collectivism.

Yet, not content with just talking the talk, Noel created and engaged in several service learning projects on their own. Through stories and lessons from teaching in South Africa, working on farms in Puerto Rico, and creating a literary arts organization in their hometown of the Bronx, New York, Noel invites students to ask themselves two questions: “What does my community need?” and “How can I use my experiences to partner with my community?”

Identity and History Workshops

WEPA! A Conversation on Puerto Rican Art and Culture (60 min)

Puerto Ricans have long been a cultural and artistic force in the world, from the writings of Julia de Burgos to the songs of Hector Lavoe to the performances of Miguel Piñero to the raps of Bad Bunny. In this workshop, we will discuss the unique history of the island and its many artistic powerhouses. Specifically, by using the traditional dance and musical style of Puerto Rican Bomba as evidence, I will highlight the interaction of artist, audience, and society as a framework for why Puerto Ricans have been at the forefront of artistic creation and innovation for over a century.

SPIT THAT! The Beats, the Nuyorican, and the Chicago Slam, a Brief History of Spoken Word Poetry (90 min)

From the nonconformity of the Beat poets in 1950s San Francisco to the identity-centric work of the Black Arts & Nuyorican Movements in 1970s New York City to the creation of the poetry slam competition in 1980s Chicago, Spoken Word Poetry has continued to shape not only what and how Americans speak, but our country’s very understanding of itself. In this lecture, we will explore the history of some of America’s largest Spoken Word movements, their influence on American culture and democracy, and how the act of sharing / listening to a story can change your life.

Latinos for Trump: How Evangelical Christianity, Conservatism, and Whiteness Shaped Us (60 min)

Former Republican President Ronald Reagan once said “Latinos are Republicans, they just don’t know it yet.” In the forty years since this statement, Latinos have steadily moved toward the right wing, most recently contributing big state wins for the Trump reelection campaign. While many were surprised by this, we are going to look back at the history that led to this moment, the precarious place Latinos are in in American society, and what it might take to counteract this shift.

Writing Workshops

Poetry


Communal Poetry: How to Write a Group Poem (60 min)

As a student of Spoken Word Poetry, I was introduced to writing as a collaborative effort. Together, we created poems at the intersection of our lived experiences and passions. In this workshop, we will engage with my favorite group poems, discuss strategies for co-writing, and then create our own group pieces.

A Love Ethic: Writing Love Poems (60 min)

bell hooks states, “Embracing a love ethic means that we utilize all the dimensions of love— “care, commitment, trust, responsibility, respect, and knowledge” —in our everyday lives.” In this workshop, we will discuss the words and phrases we use to express love for each other to each other, and then write love poems grounded in everyday actions.

Reaching Beyond the Page: Interactive Poetry (90 min)

Some poets lament the fact that they cannot be in the room as a guide when a reader reads their work. But what if you could create a dynamic form that required the reader to participate in the poem, even when you aren’t around? In this workshop, we will read some examples of interactive poetry, brainstorm a new poetic form, and write our own poems that require a dynamic exchange between writer and reader.

All Genres


Don’t Put My Business All Out There: How to Write About People You Know (60 min)

Everyone knows the age old mantra “Write what you know” but, what do you do when people from your real life start showing up in your creative writing? In this workshop, I will share some guidelines, best practices, and examples from my life of how to both honor your creativity while being mindful of other’s privacy and lived experiences.

Fiction

 

The Skeleton: Form in the Short Story (60 min)

Short stories represent a unique area of creative writing; they don’t have the length of novels yet must still convey a narrative centered on a plot point or (a) specific character(s). Yet, the length is so short that you may find that integrating a form, epistolary, listicle, etc, may add to the voice or plot you are trying to convey. In this workshop, we will look at some examples of form in short stories, then take a short story concept and combine it with a formal structure that enhances our plot or character.

Non-Fiction

 

NO SPOILERS! How to Write a Review (60 min)

Whether it’s a movie, book, or tv show, the internet is full of people breaking down the latest releases. Yet, it is a skill to understand a piece of media, break down its most important parts, and then convey this clearly to an audience. In this workshop, we will discuss our favorite recent media and then pitch a review of it to a potential magazine.