On June 15, 2012, President Barack Obama passed an executive order, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), that helped to make it more possible for undocumented students to attend college. Since DACA has been passed, administration at colleges and universities have had differing approaches on how to support, or not, undocumented students attending their institution. However, there are still holes in the support for undocumented students in pursuing higher education. The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief overview of the undocumented student experience, discuss how it relates to Mount Holyoke College, offer viewpoints from the student and dean perspectives, and provide analysis of how the director of multicultural initiatives
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I would aim to work with faculty and staff, students, and surrounding institutions, specifically the Five College Consortium. For the purpose of this paper, I will focus on how I will work with faculty and staff. Faculty and staff play an integral role in the student experience by creating an atmosphere of tolerance and acceptance. I feel as though it is important that faculty and staff are aware of the differing realities of students attending the college and that they are informed of what experiences are like for students from different backgrounds, resources available to assist those students, and confidence in how to facilitate discussions that may arise. I would begin with making sure that faculty and staff are aware not only that undocumented students attend the institution, but also what life may be like for undocumented students and the unique obstacles that they face. To ensure proper education, I would hold training sessions with faculty and staff about what DACA and the Dream Act were intended to do. The importance of informed faculty and staff is shown in the impact that it has on creating an inclusive environment. “…we know that administrative practice becomes more inclusive and transparent for undocumented college students when student affairs associations provide their membership with the relevant information and professional support” (Barnhardt, Ramos, & Reyes, 2013, pg.
I would aim to work with faculty and staff, students, and surrounding institutions, specifically the Five College Consortium. For the purpose of this paper, I will focus on how I will work with faculty and staff. Faculty and staff play an integral role in the student experience by creating an atmosphere of tolerance and acceptance. I feel as though it is important that faculty and staff are aware of the differing realities of students attending the college and that they are informed of what experiences are like for students from different backgrounds, resources available to assist those students, and confidence in how to facilitate discussions that may arise. I would begin with making sure that faculty and staff are aware not only that undocumented students attend the institution, but also what life may be like for undocumented students and the unique obstacles that they face. To ensure proper education, I would hold training sessions with faculty and staff about what DACA and the Dream Act were intended to do. The importance of informed faculty and staff is shown in the impact that it has on creating an inclusive environment. “…we know that administrative practice becomes more inclusive and transparent for undocumented college students when student affairs associations provide their membership with the relevant information and professional support” (Barnhardt, Ramos, & Reyes, 2013, pg.