Undocumented and DACAmented Students: Creating Connections to Support Success Adam D. Cantley, Interim Dean of Students (he, him, his) José-Luis Riera, Interim Vice President of Student Life (he, him, his) University of Delaware Monday, March 5, 2018 Adam

Our Environment and Lens The University of Delaware Midsize public 4-year institution PWI Small known population of undocumented and DACA students Historical struggles with diversity and inclusion Liberal leaning state government High state visibility José – Context, Legislators out to hurt us, HBCU with a Dreamers program

Population National Picture University of Delaware In 2010, about 28% of the foreign-born population in the US were undocumented immigrants (10.8 million) which is roughly 3.7% of the total population of the country (Negrón-Gonzales, 2015) 12% of undocumented citizens are between the ages of 18-24 (Kim & Diaz, 2013) An estimated 13,000 undocumented students enrolled in 2003 (Passel, 2003) Limited growth since 2003 even with supports (Kim & Diaz, 2013) University of Delaware No official list of undocumented or DACA students Identified through Student Financial Services and self disclosure Approximately 50 students were identified in fall 2017 José – the work has developed over the past 5-6 years…

Mentorship, Resiliency, and Grit Research from Gamez, Lopez, and Overton (2017) suggest mentors, resiliency, and grit affect student navigation strategies, and solutions to barriers need to be identified. Mentorship Peer and staff connections Resiliency Resource and support connections Grit Self-advocacy development Action oriented behaviors Adam

Why this work? Factors Office of the Dean of Students advocacy/support mission We knew there were students on campus who were struggling Increase in students reaching out to administration Seeing trends Solutions were available and students needed to know Adam

Common Concerns Fear of Identity Disclosure and Removal University Police procedures Immigration Services Enforcement approaches UD Financial Stability and Support Student financial aid access Campus employment opportunities Constant Change in Status Nationally Unprepared faculty and staff Upper administration support Adam

Outreach Plan Identify Population Student Financial Services Self-disclosure Multiple countries of origin Targeted Outreach Direct e-mails Not publically promoted and told why Encourage others to attend José - CBO networking (ASPIRA)

Outreach Plan Event Format Later time and dinner Residential space Optional nametags Objectives Network and connection with peers Space to be open about experience Resource connection Connection to specific staff José

Financial Stability Delaware has no coordinated state financial assistance Learn about your state UD has assistance for undocumented and DACA students who graduate from Delaware high schools Alternate procedure to calculate estimated family contributions Campus employment via alternative payment methods Student account use Scholarships Adam

Identity Disclosure A specific list of undocumented and DACA students does not exist Conversations with UDPD and transparency with students Professionals maintain privacy and confidentiality Connection to confidential resources Center for Counseling and Student Development Spiritual Life and Partners José

Constant Changes Space for activism #NoBlueHenIsIllegal Campus protests Student sit-in Letter from university president Coordinated website http://sites.udel.edu/studentlife/daca/ José APLU Advocacy, Federal and State Government Relations – great resource – for information and advocacy.

Lessons Learned We must be nimble in our response Different needs for DACA and undocumented students Focus on emotional health Family needs Importance of transparency RSO representative concerns UDPD concerns at event External Partnerships Delaware State University Dreamers (Opportunity Scholarships) Lawyer luncheon Alternate – J, A, J, A

References Gámez, R., Lopez, W., & Overton, B. (2017). Mentors, resiliency, and ganas: Factors influencing the success of DACAmented, undocumented, and immigrant students in higher education. Journal of Hispanic Higher Education, 16(2), 144-161 Kim, E., & Díaz., J. (2013). Undocumented Students and Higher Education. ASHE Higher Education Report, 38(6), 77-90. Negrón-Gonzales, G. (2015). Lift Every Voice: Institutional Climate and the Experiences of Undocumented Students at Jesuit Universities. Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal, 4(1), 49-60.

Undocumented and DACAmented Students: Creating Connections to Support Success Adam D. Cantley, Interim Dean of Students (he, him, his) José-Luis Riera, Interim Vice President of Student Life (he, him, his) University of Delaware Monday, March 5, 2018

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