San Diego Community College District

The California Community College system enrolls the largest population of undocumented students of any segment of public higher education. When undocumented immigrants can pursue their career and professional goals free of institutional barriers and discrimination, they are able toreach their educational goals and, in turn, contribute to the improvement of their communities and our economy.

Undocumented Student Action Week will be held from October 17-21, 2022. The event is held annually to help California Community College students know what resources are available to them and that they are not alone. This year's theme is Juntos Podemos (Together, We Can): Collaborative Ecosystems that Support Undocumented Students, which recognizes that we must be intentional about integrating undocumented student success throughout our equity initiatives by breaking down silos, creating welcoming campus environments, and advocating for policy solutions that allow undocumented students to achieve economic mobility. 

Resources: 

City College Dreamer Resource Center, AH-200a; email - SDCityDreamer@gmail.com; 

Mesa College Dreamer Resource Center, Student Services Room 14-309 (Third Floor), email - MesaDreamers@sdccd.edu ; 619-500-2053.

Miramar College Dreamer Support Services Center, K1-304; miradreamers@sdccd.edu ; 619-388-7970

College of Continuing Education Immigrant-based Support Program - Please email Sheyla Castillo at scastill@sdccd.edu for additional information.

 

Here are a list of events for Undocumented Student Action Week

Monday October 17

Sustaining a Supportive Ecosystem through Local, State, and Federal Advocacy
9 to 10 a.m.
Register Here
Creating and sustaining an ecosystem that supports undocumented students is a year-long commitment that requires the authentic collaboration between faculty, staff, administrators, and partners. This webinar will include an overview of the various forms of on-campus and off-campus advocacy. Presenters will also offer a framework for how campus leaders can engage in undocumented student advocacy at their local campus, and the importance of state and federal policies that eliminate barriers, prioritize affordability and access, and create the conditions for unconditional belonging and ultimately – student success. Sponsored by the California Community College System.

SDCCE UndocuDialogue Series: Valedictorian Reveals Undocumented Status in Speech
11 a.m. to noon
Join on Zoom  (password: 127182)
Join students and staff for a dialogue about the diversity in America’s growing undocumented population and common themes we all share! Sponsored by CE Dreamer Resource Program and CE Be Well.

Becoming an Undocu-preneur: Making Money While Undocumented
Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Register in Advance | Event Details 
All individuals have the right to earn money, even if they are undocumented. You’re invited to join the Miramar Dreamers Support Office and our friends from the Career Center for a fun and informative, interactive workshop to find ways you can get your Undocu-Hustle on as an undocumented entrepreneur. No formal experience necessary and beginners are highly welcomed in this safe space to learn about income-generating ideas for those without work authorization. Sponsored by Miramar College Dreamers Support Office.

Embracing the Undocumented Identity through Advocacy
Noon to 1:30 p.m. |   Join on Zoom  
San Diego Mesa College partnered with Rio Hondo College and CHIRLA. This collaborative effort presents you with information in embracing your undocumented identity through advocacy. Come and join us to learn more about different strategies for you to use your voice and be heard within your commUNITY. TBD. Sponsored by Mesa College Dreamer Resource Center and Borderless Scholar Program.

Tuesday October 18

From Policy to Practice: Implementing Policies with Students in Mind
9 to 10 a.m. | Register in advance
As practitioners responsible for supporting student success, there are several laws, regulations, and budget investments that you should become familiar with as you advise and guide undocumented students. The volume of information about policies and budgets can be overwhelming—what are the Legislature and Chancellor’s Office expectations for how campuses support undocumented student success? How does successful application of statewide policies look at the campus level? In this webinar, presenters will address these questions. Participants will hear directly from students about their own experiences navigating a community college. Sponsored by the California Community College System.

UndocuAlly Training
9 a.m. to noon | In person at the Mesa College LOFT | UndocuAlly Training Registration
Training for faculty and staff to better support and serve undocumented students. The purpose of the UndocuAlly training is to increase faculty and staff awareness, understanding, and self-efficacy working with undocumented students and to stimulate action to make the campus more responsive to the challenges and contributions of undocumented students. Attendees will receive 3 hours of FLEX credit for attending the training and a certification as an UndocuAlly. Deadline to RSVP is Wednesday, October 12 by the end of the day. Sponsored by Mesa College Dreamer Resource Center and Borderless Scholar Program.

SDCCE UndocuDialogue Series: Undocumented and Asian in America
11 a.m. to noon | Join on Zoom (password: 127182)
Join students and staff for a dialogue about the diversity in America’s growing undocumented population and common themes we all share! Sponsored by CE Dreamer Resource Program and CE Be Well.

Dream Act 101: Financial Aid for Undocu-Students
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. | Register in Advance | Dream Act 101 Event Details
Undocumented students in California are eligible for state-funded financial aid through the California Dream Act. Join Edward and Florencia from the Miramar Dream Team for a virtual explainer on the California Dream Act application, eligibility requirements, submission and deadline information, and next steps! Sponsored by Miramar College Dreamers Support Program.

CA Dream Act Open-Lab
1 to 2 p.m. | In person at the Mesa College AVANZA Room 14-203
The Dreamer Resource Center and Borderless Scholar Program will be hosting an in-person lab to help undocumented students submit their CA Dream Act application. Undocumented students will learn how to pay for college since they are eligible for state financial aid. October 1 - March 2, APPLY NOW! Only for undocumented students. Sponsored by Mesa College Dreamer Resource Center and Borderless Scholar Program.

Wednesday, October 19

Centering the Undocumented Student Experience Through Campuswide Collaborations
9 to 10 a.m. | Register in Advance
Campus stakeholder collaboration into a students’ educational journey and their goals to achieve a degree, credential or transfer to a four-year university is essential. These silos can sometimes be hidden but their effects are clearly visible in a student’s experience. Recent policy reforms have been designed with the intention of breaking down silos and fostering greater campus collaboration. How do those policies look in practice? This webinar will provide participants with an overview of recent policies that inform a supportive ecosystem that supports undocumented student success and will provide a framework for how they can create an ecosystem of unconditional belonging for students. Sponsored by the California Community College System.

SDCCE UndocuDialogue Series: How Julio Salgado Utilizes Art to Express Life as a Queer Undocumented Man
11 a.m. to noon | Join on Zoom (password: 127182)
Join students and staff for a dialogue about the diversity in America’s growing undocumented population and common themes we all share! Sponsored by CE Dreamer Resource Program and CE Be Well.

Undocumented Student Action Week Mixer
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. | Miramar College 
Register in Advance | Undocumented Student Action Week Mixer event details
Join us at Miramar College for the 2022 USAW Mixer. This reception is open to students, their families, and college members. In this space, we will create an affirming environment for undocu-students to share their experiences openly with each other and college employees. Sponsored by Miramar College Dreamers Support Program.

UndocuFamily Night (Virtual event)
5 to 8 p.m. | Register in Advance
The Dreamer Resource Center and Borderless Scholar Program will be hosting a virtual UndocuFamily Night! We encourage students to invite their parents or family members to attend the virtual event to learn about their rights, DACA updates, and how to create an immigration emergency plan. Thereafter, we will discuss familial support for undocumented students and how family members can best support the educational journey. We will be providing a DoorDash through your email. RSVP by the end of the day on Friday, October 14th. Sponsored by Mesa College Dreamer Resource Center and Borderless Scholar Program.

Thursday, October 20

Undocumented Student Advocacy Day
There will be no systemwide webinar on this day. Instead, the Chancellor’s Office, in partnership with the Community College League of California, Foundation for California Community Colleges, and statewide advocacy organizations, will be meeting with Members of Congress to advocate for policy solutions that support the long-term success of undocumented students. Sponsored by the California Community College System.

SDCCE UndocuDialogue Series: Undocumented and Black in America
9 to 10 a.m. | Join on Zoom (password: 127182)
Join students and staff for a dialogue about the diversity in America’s growing undocumented population and common themes we all share! Sponsored by CE Dreamer Resource Program and CE Be Well.

Walk of the Immigrants with Saul Flores
11 a.m. to noon | In person at San Diego City College in Room MS-140.
Saul spent three months walking 5,328 miles to document how grueling and dangerous the journey of immigrants to the United States can be. Gain a deeper understanding of the struggles, hardships, joy, and hope that immigrants face through Saul's eye-opening presentation. Sponsored by City College Dreamer Resource Center, Mental Health Counseling, Puente, and World Cultures.

Dreamer Meet & Greet: Campus Resources Available for Undocumented Students
12:30 to 2 p.m. | In person at the City College Dreamer Resource Center Room AH-200a.
Connect with the Dreamer Resource Center team as well as with programs at City College available for Undocumented students and their family members. Stay updated at instagram.com/DreamerResourceCenter. Sponsored by SDCity College Dreamer Resource Center.

NextUp: DREAMERS! Resources for Undocumented Foster Youth
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. | Register in Advance | Undocumented Foster Youth Event Details
Undocumented foster youth face unique challenges but resources are available! The Miramar Dreamers Support Team is here to create an affirming space, connect you to resources, and provide referrals to our NExtUp counselors during this virtual session. Sponsored by Miramar College Dreamers Support Program.

Breaking Barriers: The UndocuHustle
1 to 3 p.m. | Join on Zoom
The Dreamer Resource Center and Borderless Scholar Program will be presenting the UndocuHustle that will highlight the resilience and perseverance of undocumented students by story telling. At the end of the presentation, participants will be given a safe space to share their own story. Sponsored by Mesa College Dreamer Resource Center and Borderless Scholar Program.

Friday, October 21

Ensuring Equitable Access to Financial Aid for Undocumented Students
9 to 10 a.m. | Register in Advance
This webinar will focus on how campuses can ensure undocumented students obtain financial resources to cover the total cost of success. It will also include a review of the California Dream Act, AB 540 Affidavit, and other grants/resources available to California undocumented students. In addition to a review of the various applications and processes for financial aid, speakers will provide practitioners with guidance on how to best support students through this process. This issue can be very complex, and campuses should utilize a student-centered approach to develop informational collateral and advisement strategies to help students apply for financial resources. Sponsored by the California Community College System.

UndocuSuccess Panel: Educational and Career Journey
10 to 11:30 a.m. | Join on Zoom 
Continuing the collaboration with Rio Hondo College, Mesa College will be having an UndocumentedSuccess Panel, where graduate students and professionals will be sharing their experiences and how they manage to navigate the educational system and their career as undocumented individuals. HERE TO STAY! Sponsored by Mesa College Dreamer Resource Center and Borderless Scholar Program.

SDCCE UndocuDialogue Series: Actions are Illegal, Never People
11 a.m. noon | Join on Zoom (password: 127182)
Join students and staff for a dialogue about the diversity in America’s growing undocumented population and common themes we all share! Sponsored by CE Dreamer Resource Program and CE Be Well.

Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarships and fellowships posted by Immigrants Rising. 

 

Coming Up Next! Wednesday, October 26

Lizz Huerta, The Lost Dreamer
9:35 to 11 a.m. | MS-162
In celebration of Latinx Heritage Month, join local author Lizz Huerta for a discussion of her fantasy novel, The Lost Dreamer. This young adult fantasy novel explores themes of class, gender and culture and is inspired by Mesoamerican spiritual knowledge. Hosted by Norell Martínez and Patricia McGhee from the SDCity English Department.