1. 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

2. 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

3. 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 (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…

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Constant Changes Space for activism #NoBlueHenIsIllegal
Campus protests
Student sit-in
Letter from university president
Coordinated website
José
APLU Advocacy, Federal and State Government Relations – great resource – for information and advocacy.

12. 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

13. 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),
Kim, E., & Díaz., J. (2013). Undocumented Students and Higher Education. ASHE Higher Education Report, 38(6),
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),

14. 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

15. Thank you for joining us today!
Please remember to complete your online evaluation following the conference.
See you in Los Angeles in 2019!