Editor’s note: As part of CSUSB’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the university is showcasing a number of earlier stories highlighting Hispanic and Latino students, alumni, faculty and staff, along with programs and grants for the university’s diverse populations.
This article was originally published on Aug. 30, 2019.
The Undocumented Student Success Center (USSC) at Cal State San Bernardino has been named one of “20 Programs to Watch” by Excelencia in Education, a nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating Latino success in higher education.
The USSC is one of 20 other higher education programs around the country recognized by Excelencia in Education for accelerating student success. The nonprofit has also named 16 initiatives at the college level as the 2019 Examples of Excelencia finalists.
“This is wonderful news and an acknowledgement of the hard work and dedication of the Undocumented Student Success Center’s leadership, staff and students,” said CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales. “It’s also a tribute to all our faculty and staff who support the center. The center is an exceptional example of our ongoing mission to help students excel.”
“By promoting and celebrating what works in serving Latino students in higher education, Excelencia increases awareness about the positive impact of the growth of the Latino population and programs that serve them well,” said Sarita Brown, president of Excelencia in Education. “Examples of Excelencia inspires leaders to implement innovations that can serve all students.”
The 2019 Examples of Excelencia will be revealed on Oct. 24 at the Celebración de Excelencia at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C.
This year, Excelencia received 166 program nominations from 32 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. One program will be chosen from each of four categories – Associate, Baccalaureate, Graduate and Community-Based Organizations – by a national selection committee comprised of higher education leaders, grantmakers, professionals, and stakeholders. The final four will be chosen based on evidence of their effectiveness to serve Latino academic achievement at their institutions and community organizations.
The CSUSB Undocumented Student Success Center opened its doors on Nov. 5, 2015, becoming the fourth such center in the California State University system. The center was established to serve the undocumented student population on the CSUSB campus.
The center serves as a commons space for students and allies to connect with each other about issues regarding immigration, AB 540, employment opportunities, scholarships, internships, information about graduate school and other resources that will help achieve student success. It has hosted multiple informational workshops related to CSUSB undocumented students and for the on- and off-campus community.
The other Excelencia in Education 2019 Programs to Watch are:
- Esperanza Postsecondary Support Program: Supporting Hispanic Student College Entry, Persistence, and Graduation by Esperanza Inc. of Ohio;
- Generation Hope by Generation Hope of Washington, D.C.;
- STEM Institute for Scholastic Leadership Experience (ISLE) at Miami Dade College;
- UNCG CHANCE: Campamento Hispano Abriendo Nuestro Camino a la Educación at University of North Carolina at Greensboro;
- First-Generation and Transfer Student Center at University of Texas at San Antonio;
- I-CARE Grant (Integrating a Culture of Academic and Research Engagement) at Texas A& M University-Kingsville;
- Jaguar Connection at South Texas College;
- Mi Casa Es Su Casa at Lone Star College-North Harris;
- Pathways to Technology Early College High Schools at Dallas County Community College District;
- PIONERAS at Texas Woman's University;
- Pritzker Access Scholarship Program by the Noble Network of Charter Schools in Illinois;
- STEM Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) at Texas State University;
- Channel Your Success – University Culture Pathways at California State University, Channel Islands;
- Chemeketa Completion Program from Chemeketa Community College;
- Encuentros Teacher Academy by Encuentros Leadership of California;
- Hancock Promise - Changing the Odds at Allan Hancock College;
- LMU Transfer Pathway Program at Loyola Marymount University;
- Problem-based Initiatives for Powerful Engagement and Learning In Naval Engineering and Science (PIPELINES) at University of California, Santa Barbara;
- Project ALAS (Aligning Learning & Academic Success) at California State University, Channel Islands
Learn more at the 2019 Programs to Watch website.
Since 2005, Excelencia has highlighted a total of 328 programs as Examples of Excelencia and Programs to Watch.
About Excelencia in Education
Excelencia in Education accelerates Latino student success in higher education by promoting Latino student achievement, conducting analysis to inform educational policies, and advancing institutional practices while collaborating with those committed and ready to meet the mission. Launched in 2004 in the nation’s capital, Excelencia has established a network of results-oriented educators and policymakers to address the U.S. economy’s needs for a highly educated workforce and engaged civic leaders. For more information, visit the Excelencia in Education website.
Also visit the Cal State San Bernardino Undocumented Student Success Center website for more information on its programs.