Pre-Health Dreamers: A Multipronged, Community-Based Approach to Expanding Graduate School Access for Undocumented Students in Health Fields

• In Event: 64.089 - Sheraton Roundtable 12 - Grand Centre
  In Roundtable Session: 64.089-2 - International Perspectives on Graduate and Doctoral Education

Abstract

Health graduate programs have been particularly out of reach for undocumented students, given the regulations surrounding related professions. DACA's implementation provided a unique opportunity for undocumented student advocacy around access to medical school and other health related graduate programs. This practice-based paper describes the work and lessons learned from Pre-Health Dreamers, a student-initiated national community based organization with the mission to support undocumented pre-health students through community-building, resource-mobilization, and advocacy for access to health careers and health care currently serving more than 1,000 students throughout 45 states. The paper contributes to the frameworks of educational pipelines and programs that support undocumented student success beyond college and into graduate school and specialized professions, especially in today’s volatile political context.

Authors

• Erick Leyva Bedolla, Pre-Health Dreamers

• Gloria Itzel Montiel, Claremont Graduate University

• Angela C. Chen, University of California - Los Angeles