海角直播

Publish Date: Oct. 6, 2020

For undocumented students, pursing a college education is often thought of as just a dream. But at 海角直播, students receive the help they need to navigate the process.

鈥淎t first I felt like I was alone because I did not know what to do,鈥� shared one undocumented former Roadrunner (who wished to remain anonymous) when asked about the college鈥檚 application process. 鈥淏ut EOPS (Extended Opportunity Programs and Services) helped me with services that I didn鈥檛 know about. That was reassuring.鈥�

海角直播 鈥� along with other community colleges throughout California 鈥� has supported programs focused on creating higher learning opportunities for undocumented students for years. In November 2016, 海角直播 joined a letter-writing campaign with fellow CCs to encourage then-President-Elect Donald Trump to continue the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. DACA allows children of undocumented immigrants to pursue education-related opportunities at a collegiate level.

Several faculty and staff within 海角直播鈥檚 admissions, counseling and other student services are well-versed in handling the process to help undocumented students come on board. Recently, a forum was held at the Yucaipa-based campus that focused on getting the word out to potential students about programs available for all.

鈥淲e pride ourselves in creating an inclusive learning environment where students from all walks of life are not only welcomed but are actively encouraged in the college community,鈥� said 海角直播 President Kevin Horan.

The inclusiveness of 海角直播 is one of many reasons why the 19-year-old college student quoted in this article became a student here.

Prior to coming to this country, the now-Yucaipa resident grew up in Mexico with his family, including his mother and younger sister. In 2014, the family moved to California on a tourist visa and 鈥渙verstayed,鈥� he said. A year later, his dad abandoned the family, leaving his mom to work multiple jobs to survive. 鈥淲e have been through a lot, a lot of hardships, and we had to move a lot of times because we never had a place of our own,鈥� he explained. 鈥淩ight now we are living with a friend of the family. I have to work and so does my sister. It鈥檚 been hard, but it鈥檚 been good.鈥�

Adjusting to life in the U.S. was also tough for the teen, having to learn English and American customs and culture. But living in California was not a huge culture-shock to the then-eighth grader because the state has a 鈥渓ot of Mexican culture,鈥� he said.

Before applying to college, the teen began taking 海角直播-based dual enrollment courses at Yucaipa High School. Encouraged by his mother, the 19-year-old was able to complete his studies at 海角直播 in just one year. 鈥淢y mom has been my rock,鈥� he said. 鈥淪he would tell me, 鈥楰eep studying so you don鈥檛 end up like me.鈥� She inspires me to continue.鈥�

The 海角直播 grad transferred this fall to the University of Redlands, where he plans to become a human rights litigator and aspires to move across the globe to help others who share similar life experiences. 鈥淚 want to help others like me,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 want to create a stage for people to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.鈥�

If the opportunity arises, the teen will pursue an American citizenship and continue to share his college experience with others to encourage undocumented students to apply for college. One of his biggest tips to others like him鈥� put yourself out there. 鈥淚鈥檝e been blessed with a lot of people in my life,鈥� he said. 鈥淢eet people in clubs, make friends, make as many connections as you can. Opportunity exists.鈥�