Higher Education Professionals and Undocumented Student Support

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

This symposium investigates the role of higher education professionals in undocumented students' postsecondary access and trajectories, exploring how educators and administrators actualize restoration and repair of the inequalities created by federal, state, and institutional policies and practices. Featuring diverse geographic and institutional settings and using varied data sources and frameworks, the symposium includes three empirical studies that examine how educators interpret relevant policies and their roles as advocates. Focal educators include 1) administrators who work within tuition-equity states, 2) undocumented resource center staff, and 3) liberal arts faculty and staff on a sanctuary campus. Together, the papers offer insights into the possibilities and challenges of bottom-up advocacy for undocumented students in higher education.

Sub Unit

• Division J - Postsecondary Education / Division J - Section 2a: College Student Access, Trajectories, and Transitions

Chair

• Elaine Cristina Allard, Swarthmore College

Papers

• The Significance of Tuition Equity in the Policy Learning of Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) Administrators - Blanca Elizabeth Vega, Montclair State University

• “Work of the Heart”: Lived Experiences of Undocumented Student Resource Center Professionals - Natalie Borg, Boston College

• Toward Multi-Dimensional Care for Undocumented College Students: Lessons from a Sanctuary Campus - Elaine Cristina Allard, Swarthmore College; Raia Francisco, Swarthmore College

Discussant

• Susana Maria Munoz, Colorado State University