Fordham University’s Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education (GRE) is one of 18 Catholic graduate schools that are a part of the Haciendo Caminos initiative. Haciendo Caminos focuses on supporting Hispanic/Latino students through their graduate journeys in Catholic studies.
“Fordham University has consistently demonstrated its commitment to engaging with the poor, marginalized communities, and those advocating for justice,” said Luz Marina Diaz, Ph.D., Fordham’s associate director of Haciendo Caminos. “The Haciendo Caminos initiative is one way the university fulfills this commitment by providing financial support and training for the next generation of pastoral leaders by forming leaders dedicated to supporting and serving Catholics, drawing from the rich traditions of the U.S. Latino experience.”
Fordham held a Haciendo Caminos event last week on Saturday, Nov. 19. The event consisted of an opening Mass, a presentation on the GRE programs and financial aid and testimonials from current Haciendo Caminos student fellows. The students who spoke were recipients of the Haciendo Caminos Fellowship which utilizes a grant from the Lilly Endowment to provide financial support to fellows at higher education institutions partnered with Haciendo Caminos.
“Eight young Catholic attendees expressed interest in applying to Haciendo Caminos to enroll in three of the MA degree programs offered by GRE,” said Diaz. “Others indicated they would like to be contacted for further discernment.” She explained that the benefits appealing to the students extend beyond the financial support of the grant. Haciendo Caminos also provides fellows with leadership skills and other professional development opportunities.
The initiative also creates community among the fellows. Diaz explained that one part of this is the Haciendo Comunidad program, which is a series of Zoom meetings for all of the fellows throughout the country. The Zoom meetings serve as an opportunity for the students to discuss their experiences relating to faith, education and the Latino community with one another and offer each other support.
Additionally, Haciendo Caminos holds in-person summer symposiums for the fellows from all the participating institutions. Diaz explained that this past summer Fordham Haciendo Caminos was a part of The Vocations Summit at Dominican University in Chicago. The summit was designed to serve as a forum for discussions among United States-based Latinos who are pursuing Catholic vocations. She mentioned that in July 2025 there will be a similar opportunity for Fordham’s fellows to engage with those from other institutions at a two week long symposium in San Antonio, Texas.
In order to be nominated for a Haciendo Caminos fellowship, students must be accepted into one of the GRE master’s degrees. “Every year, the Haciendo Caminos committee distributes a nomination form to various parishes and religious institutions, encouraging community members to identify those who have made significant contributions to Hispanic communities and need help pursuing a master’s degree program to fulfill their vocation and lead most effectively,” Diaz explained.
Once the students are admitted, GRE submits the nominations for fellowships to the Haciendo Caminos committee. The committee then considers the nominees’ demonstrated ability to successfully complete their theological education and apply their learning to pastoral leadership in Hispanic communities.
Diaz stated that Fordham currently has seven students who are Haciendo Caminos fellows. She explained that this year they received 18 new nominations for fellowships and heard directly from several individuals interested in learning about the opportunity. Those interested in the Haciendo Caminos initiative at Fordham GRE can contact Diaz at [email protected] for more information.
