The purpose of Undocumented Student Action Week (USAW) at North Orange County Community College District (NOCCCD) was to provide a the NOCCCD community with an opportunity to learn about the challenges undocumented students face and the resources that support them. Grads to Be Programs at Cypress College, Fullerton College, and North Orange Continuing Education (NOCE) staff combined efforts to provide the NOCCCD community with this year’s USAW. Through USAW we aimed to empower undocumented students to feel more comfortable with their immigration status. USAW was designed to provide the NOCCCD community with resources related to healthcare, entrepreneurship, transfer, know your rights, and financial aid. Additionally, we intended to inform and engage districtwide administrators, faculty, and staff to commence the establishment of an UndocuAlly Support Network for our students. Here are some of the highlights of this year’s USAW.
- We had a total of 8 events within Undocumented Student Action Week.
- A total of 230 (with duplicates, not sure without) participants attended our events which included students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community members.
- A total of 55 faculty, staff, administrators, student leaders, and community members underwent our UndocuAlly Training Part 1 – Foundational Knowledge: An Introduction to the Undocumented Community.
- Each Grads to Be Program at Cypress College, Fullerton College, and NOCE updated their program website to best serve students remotely.
- Here are some takeaway quotes we’d like to share regarding USAW:
- “It was truly a beautiful hour” – Undocumented Student Transfer Panel Participant
- “I did not know that entrepreneurship was an option for undocumented individuals to gain income.” – Entrepreneurship Workshop Participant
- “Helpful Knowledge and Education so I can improve my life” – Healthcare Resources for Undocumented Students Participant
- “The powerful stories shared in the videos.” – UndocuAlly Training Part 1 Participant
- “Understanding the Rights & Benefits between each immigration status – the slides with the lines drawn were powerful.” – UndocuAlly Training Part 1 Participant
- “There are so many more barriers than college for these students. We have to be understanding of these stresses and not make their lives more difficult.” – UndocuAlly Training Part 1 Participant
- “What the college is doing and what we can do to best support undocumented students. I think this training provided a strong foundation to moving to that stage. – UndocuAlly Training Part 1 Participant