Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Supporting Access to Higher Education for Immigrant and Undocumented Students

Supporting Access to Higher Education for Immigrant and Undocumented Students
For School Counselors and College Access Partners  

The Center for Excellence in School Counseling and Leadership (CESCaL) presents the second annual conference focused on equity and access to higher education for immigrant and undocumented students.

In April 2016, CESCaL hosted the first annual conference to ensure access and equity to higher education for immigrant and undocumented youth by ensuring those who work with them received expert training on how to mentor, counsel, and advise future college candidates. CESCaL chose to address this specific student population due to CESCaL's commitment to advocate for marginalized student groups, improve effective practices among educators, provide a forum for collaboration and networking, problem solve critical training issues, and provide ongoing professional development.

Pre-conference survey results indicate there is much work to be done! A pre-survey of conference attendees revealed that only 27.33% of the participants reported being knowledgeable of the laws and rights and undocumented and/or immigrant students; only 22.67% have knowledge of the college application process for undocumented and/or immigrant students; and only 33.73% felt confident advising undocumented and/or immigrant students regarding the college application process.

The conference goal is to teach and empower school counselors and college access partners with the:
    Knowledge of laws and rights of immigrant and undocumented students and resources for students and families.
    Attitudes necessary to take personal responsibility as advocates for immigrant and undocumented students.
    Skills to navigate the college application process, locate funding options, access post-secondary opportunities, and utilize culturally competent techniques to mentor, counsel, and advice future college candidates.

Currently, millions of undocumented immigrant students and families:
    Are eager to pursue postsecondary education
    Face significant barriers to educational attainment
    Are unaware of the financial opportunities available to them
    Are subject to institutional gatekeeping that impacts access to post-secondary opportunities
    Graduate at drastically lower rates than U.S. born citizens
    Only 5 -10 percent of undocumented high school graduates go on to enroll in college (College Board, 2009).

The three-day conference will kick-off on Sunday, April 23 at 5 p.m. with an awards ceremony and conclude Tuesday, April 25 with workshops and a school counselor college fair at the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center in San Diego State University. 

Submitting a Program Proposal:
We are also accepting applications for presenters and poster sessions. Please complete the form electronically here or at https://goo.gl/forms/qeXfWjqClkKsXR0k1.

Register Now:

Don't miss out! Click here to register and inquire about the conference. Early registration ends Dec. 15! Inquire about the conference at http://go.sdsu.edu/education/cescal-conference/. Should you have questions and/or inquiries, please email Diana Camilo, Conference Chair at events@cescal.org