Undocumented Student Support and Engagement Topic of Workshop Presented by DU Team

Armando Guerrero Estrada, director of DU's PASOS Network; Andrew Mercado, director of University Ministry; and Yessenia Hernandez, associate director of the Center for Cultural Liberation and undocumented student support specialist, recently presented a workshop at the annual meeting for the Association of Student Affairs at Catholic Colleges and Universities.

The meeting took place at Villanova University from June 25-28. The theme was "Rooted in Mission, Growing in Purpose."

In their workshop, entitled "Institutionalizing Accompaniment for Undocumented Students at Catholic Colleges and Universities," Guerrero Estrada, Mercado and Hernandez shared that educating inclusively is at the heart of Dominican University’s mission. Their workshop demonstrated how Dominican staff and faculty continue the legacy of the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa and the university’s commitment to immigrant communities dating back to its inception.

Today, this is done in new and innovative ways that reflect the shifting cultural and societal dynamics of Catholic higher education and of the United States. The ways Catholic colleges and universities engage in recruiting, welcoming, retaining and graduating undocumented and immigrant students must take into consideration the holistic well-being and pastoral care of the student and the communities from which they come, the team shared.

Dominican University President Emerita Dr. Donna M. Carroll delivered the keynote address at the conference.