Creating Home Away from Home: Carolina Davila’s Story and La Casa’s Impact

Join Darice Corey as she sits down with Carolina Davila, director of La Casa Cultural at Yale, for an inspiring and heartfelt conversation about leadership, belonging, and building community. Carolina Davila shares her journey from Puerto Rico to Boston, her experiences as a first-generation, low-income college graduate, and the powerful lessons learned from her upbringing and career in higher education.

Discover how Carolina Davila has transformed La Casa into a vibrant and inclusive space that celebrates Latinx identity, supports students, and fosters connections across campus and beyond. The episode delves into the challenges and joys of creating “a home away from home,” the importance of accessible, student-informed programming, and the value of representation. Carolina Davila also discusses her personal path to becoming a certified doula, and how her commitment to advocacy and holistic support shapes her work both at Yale and in the wider community.

Whether you’re interested in student life, cultural centers, or the personal journeys that shape leaders, this episode highlights the roots, resilience, and vision that drive Carolina Davila—and offers practical wisdom for anyone seeking to build meaningful, welcoming communities.

Podcast Host: Darice Corey | Senior Director of Web and IT Planning | Yale College Dean’s Office Staff Engagement Committee Co-Chair | Pierson College Fellow

Podcast Guest: Carolina Davila | Assistant Dean of Yale College and Director or La Casa Cultural Center

Video/Podcast Producer: Ryan McEvoy | Yale Broadcast Studio