A Must-Attend

Legislative Briefing: AB 540: Building on 20 Years of Policy Implementation
AUDIENCE: Legislators, Legislative Aides, Policymakers, Undocumented Student Support Personnel, Dream Resource Centers, High School, Adult School & Noncredit



AB 540 (2001) is landmark legislation that expanded access to higher education for undocumented students across California by providing in-state tuition. Since then, we’ve seen amazing strides in implementation. But many barriers still remain in ensuring consistent guidance and access to AB 540’s benefits across systems. This briefing will address some of those discrepancies and how legislators can support undocumented students in their college journey.

Outcomes:

  1. Understand the key role AB 540 plays in access to higher education for undocumented students
  2. Gain greater awareness of implementation gaps and their impact on undocumented students
  3. Hear potential policy solutions and proposals to guide plans for a legislative update or oversight activities

Presenters:

  • Lorena Medel, Graduate Student, San Francisco State University
  • Jaemi Naish, Director, Tamalpais Adult School
  • Maria Gutierrez, Dream Center Counselor/Coordinator Chabot College & Doctoral Student, San Francisco State University
  • Israel Landa, Office of Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua
  • Anna Pilloton, Director of School and Community Partnerships, College of Marin

Moderator:

  • Katrina Linden, Legislative Affairs Manager, Campaign for College Opportunity

10 – 11 a.m. PT | Opening Session

Honoring the Organizing that Made AB 540 Possible! Looking Back & Moving Forward
AUDIENCE: ALL participants



Join us in honoring the powerful organizing that took place to open access for undocumented students in higher education. Hear directly from organizers and advocates whose combined forces were instrumental in passing this historic bill! You will also learn about a current AB 540/SB 68 student’s experiences and continued advocacy for equitable implementation for all.

Outcomes:

  1. Honor advocacy that made AB 540 possible
  2. Celebrate AB 540’s positive impact on student’s lives
  3. Highlight current gaps & call for equitable implementation

Presenters:

Moderator:

  • Nancy Jodaitis, Director of Higher Education, Immigrants Rising

11 a.m. – 12 p.m. PT Session

Our Narratives in Pursuit of Higher Education
AUDIENCE: Students, College Graduates, Counselors, Undocumented Student Support Personnel, Dream Resource Centers, High School, Noncredit & Adult School



Being an undocumented student in this country can become a real challenge when you aspire to pursue higher education. However, it does not define you or your dreams. In this workshop, you will hear stories from undocumented students who have benefited from AB 540 and those who have been excluded from eligibility. You will learn how they are achieving their educational dreams regardless of their immigration status.

Outcomes:

  1. Learn there are no limits when you really want to pursue your dreams.
  2. Realize that the best way to be successful is through education because knowledge is power.
  3. Understand that it does not matter where you come from, the most important thing is where you want to go!

Presenters:

  • Augustine Emenalo, Student at LA Southwest College
  • Jose Entrekin, Student at UC Berkeley
  • Siyue (Lena) Wang, PhD Student at UCLA
  • Wladimir Mendoza, Student at Fullerton College

Moderator:

  • Irma Andazola, Student at North Orange Continuing Education (NOCE)

12 – 1 p.m. PT Session

Legislative Briefing: AB 540: Building on 20 Years of Policy Implementation
AUDIENCE: Legislators, Legislative Aides, Policymakers, Undocumented Student Support Personnel, Dream Resource Centers, High School, Adult School & Noncredit



AB 540 (2001) is landmark legislation that expanded access to higher education for undocumented students across California by providing in-state tuition. Since then, we’ve seen amazing strides in implementation. But many barriers still remain in ensuring consistent guidance and access to AB 540’s benefits across systems. This briefing will address some of those discrepancies and how legislators can support undocumented students in their college journey.

Outcomes:

  1. Understand the key role AB 540 plays in access to higher education for undocumented students
  2. Gain greater awareness of implementation gaps and their impact on undocumented students
  3. Hear potential policy solutions and proposals to guide plans for a legislative update or oversight activities

Presenters:

  • Lorena Medel, Graduate Student, San Francisco State University
  • Jaemi Naish, Director, Tamalpais Adult School
  • Maria Gutierrez, Dream Center Counselor/Coordinator Chabot College & Doctoral Student, San Francisco State University
  • Israel Landa, Office of Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua
  • Anna Pilloton, Director of School and Community Partnerships, College of Marin

Moderator:

  • Katrina Linden, Legislative Affairs Manager, Campaign for College Opportunity
AB 540 101: Demystifying In-State Tuition in California
AUDIENCE: Deans, Directors, Equity Directors, Admissions, Financial Aid, Counselors, Undocumented Student Support Personnel, UndocuLiaisons Dream Resource Centers, High School, Adult School, & Noncredit



In-state tuition (AB 540/SB 68) has opened up many opportunities for undocumented students pursuing higher education in California. Gain a deeper understanding of AB 540/SB 68 requirements, procedures and resources to promote eligibility. Hear from a panel of students and educators about their experiences with AB 540/SB 68 and its impact on them and their community.

Outcomes:

  1. Gain a better understanding of AB 540/SB 68, including its requirements and benefits
  2. Become aware of and learn how to integrate resources to support students building their eligibility
  3. Develop a common understanding of the experiences of undocumented students navigating higher education in California

Presenters:

  • Paola Mora, Retention Specialist, College of San Mateo
  • Eva-Vera Kouassi, College Graduate, UC Riverside
  • Daniela Cruz, Student, Academy of the Arts

Moderator:

  • Madeleine Villanueva, Immigrants Rising, Catalyst Specialist

1 – 2 p.m. PT Session

Building Bridges: Systemic Solutions to Supporting Undocumented Students
AUDIENCE: ALL participants



Join this historic meeting of the chancellors and presidents of all four California higher education systems! They will be elevating system solutions that have been build to date as well as discussing their role in ensuring campuses meet the needs of undocumented students.

This workshop is part of the systemwide webinar series for the 5th Annual Undocumented Student Action Week, sponsored by the California Community Colleges and its partners.

Outcomes:

  1. Celebrate the successes within higher education systems built since the passage of AB 540!
  2. Understand the current barriers our higher educational systems inadvertently create for undocumented students
  3. Be aware of the commitment each system will undertake to resolve key discrepancies in the implementation of AB 540/SB 68

Presenters:

  • Dr. Daisy Gonzales, Acting Chancellor, California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office
  • Dr. Joseph I. Castro, Chancellor, California State University
  • Dr. Michael Drake, President, University of California
  • Kristen Soares, President, Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities
  • Katharine Gin, Executive Director, Immigrants Rising

Moderator:

  • Linda Vasquez, CCCCO, Vice-Chancellor of Governmental Relations

5 p.m. PT | IG LIVE Statewide Dance Party with DJ Sizzle

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