Voz Rebelde, Beyond the Margins Writing Group is Revolutionizing Graduate School Support

Next Tuesday evening, take a walk to the Teaching and Learning Complex (TLC) and head straight to the fourth floor. You’ll know you're in the right place when you hear the buzz of excited chatter and laughter. There, nestled in their own cozy corner, you’ll find a group of passionate graduate students, researchers, writers, and a very friendly dog. This collective, called Voz Rebelde, Beyond the Margins Writing Group, aims to build a supportive community of Latinx/e graduate students that values academic research and authenticity. They meet every Tuesday from 6-7 pm in the TLC 4th Floor Writing Center. Whether you’re working on your dissertation, writing for a journal, applying to jobs, or just want to join a new community, Voz Rebelde wants to support you as you cultivate your unique voice. 

The Mission of Voz Rebelde

When creating their writing group, founding members Gaby Perez, Sasha Osorio, David Gómez, and Ana D. Castellón wanted to build a protected space for graduate students with similar Latinx/e and/or BIPOC backgrounds to talk about their experiences, passions, and research. For Ana D. Castellón, the writing group’s name reflects that “voice is a fundamental part of being human, and a rebellious voice can be a powerful force for change. It creates space for those who have not yet found their voice, while supporting and affirming them as they develop their own. Many of us have experienced what it means to exist at the margins. Voz Rebelde seeks to honor those experiences and create pathways that move individuals beyond the margins and toward empowerment and belonging.”

Uplifting voices are at the center of Voz Rebelde’s mission. They champion authenticity by rebelling against the notion that personal identity should be separate from academic work. They help members bring their passion, personal identities, and research interests into their writing through workshops, constructive feedback, and community events.

Embracing Each Unique Journey 

Voz Rebelde is reimagining graduate student support by tailoring its meetings to members’ needs. Regardless of someone's stage in graduate school, work-life balance can be hard to maintain. Recognizing this challenge, Voz Rebelde connects members with a community of peers who can support them. Whether someone wants constructive feedback, help navigating school, or new friends, this writing group makes sure everyone is included. To accommodate busy schedules, they also do not require RSVPs for their weekly meetings and encourage others to show up when it works for them.

As a newer organization, they are also open to suggestions because they want to build a community that evolves with their members. They often consider what members want to talk about or work on when structuring each meeting. As Gaby Perez explained, “We want members to create these meetings with us…I feel like it might always look different, but it is important that we are involving the entire group in that process.” This means meetings could vary between silent writing time, engaging group discussions, or even a comfortable place outside of academics where members can de-stress. In the future, they also hope to have fun community events where members bring food that represents their different cultural identities.

Helping Others Find Their Voice On and Off The Page

For members of Voz Rebelde, Beyond the Margins Writing Group, this community is a place where graduate students can be empowered to embrace authenticity and feel a sense of belonging within academia. New member Mariana Carrola said it best: “Voz Rebelde is a group that understands my voice and my work." In a time where academic pressures can overshadow personal voice, Voz Rebelde demonstrates the importance of community-driven spaces that empower graduate students to share their perspectives on and off the page. 

BIO

Shayna Schreiber is a third-year undergraduate, majoring in communication and minoring in professional writing. She is a Communications Specialist Intern for the Professional Writing Minor, helping students learn about writing-based internships through social media and articles she has written. In her free time, she enjoys playing the electric guitar and embroidery. To see her other work, visit or her LinkedIn profile.