Building Critical Bridges: The Role of University Presidents in Collaborating with Undocumented Student Activists

Authors

Rachel Freeman, University of California, Los AngelesFollow
Daniela Iniestra Varelas, Eastern Connecticut State UniversityFollow
Daniel Castillo, Eastern Connecticut State UniversityFollow

Abstract

Undocumented students across the country have powerfully organized for the development of equitable programs and policies for undocumented students in higher education. Presidents of colleges and universities play a key role in working with undocumented activists to influence the development of these programs. Our research team with The UndocuScholars Project at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) spotlights university presidents who have been leaders in the field in working with undocumented students through the documentary film series College Presidents with Undocumented Students. In this article, we discuss the second film in the series showcasing President Elsa Núñez of the public university, Eastern Connecticut State University, and her work with the undocumented student organization on her campus, Freedom at Eastern. We discuss the nuances of collaboration between undocumented student organizers and university presidents, and provide recommendations to university leaders such as seeing student activists as your colleagues.

Recommended Citation

Freeman, Rachel; Iniestra Varelas, Daniela; and Castillo, Daniel (2021) "Building Critical Bridges: The Role of University Presidents in Collaborating with Undocumented Student Activists," Journal of College Access: Vol. 6: Iss. 2, Article 12.
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jca/vol6/iss2/12