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/
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/c
