CSUSB Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary of the Undocumented Student Success Center and Honors Leaders in Immigrant Advocacy

SAN BERNARDINO, California — California State University, San Bernardino proudly celebrates the 10-year anniversary of the Undocumented Student Success Center (USSC), marking a decade of advocacy, empowerment, and student-centered support for undocumented students, DACA recipients, AB 540 students, and those from mixed-immigration-status families.

Established in 2015, the Undocumented Student Success Center was created as a dedicated space to provide holistic support services, resources, and community for students navigating higher education while facing unique immigration-related challenges. Over the past decade, the center has played a vital role in advancing student success through academic support, financial and legal resources, campus advocacy, and programming rooted in equity and inclusion.

As part of the anniversary celebration, CSUSB also recognized outstanding leaders and partners whose work has significantly advanced immigrant empowerment and educational equity.

Dr. Paz Oliverez, Vice President for Student Affairs, received the Immigrant Empowerment & Educational Equity Award in recognition of her leadership and commitment to expanding access, resources, and institutional support for undocumented students. Her advocacy has strengthened campus infrastructure and fostered a culture of care that prioritizes student well-being and success.

In addition, the CARECEN Legal Team was honored with the Distinguished Service in Immigrant Justice Award for their longstanding partnership and dedication to providing free, high-quality legal services to CSUSB students and their families. Through CARECEN’s collaboration with the university, students have access to critical immigration legal support, including DACA renewals, work authorization, citizenship applications, asylum services, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) assistance.

Together, these recognitions reflect CSUSB’s ongoing commitment to educational equity, immigrant justice, and the success of all students — regardless of immigration status.

As the Undocumented Student Success Center looks ahead, the university remains steadfast in its mission to foster inclusive learning environments, expand access to resources, and uplift the voices and experiences of undocumented students across both the San Bernardino and Palm Desert campuses.

For more information about the Undocumented Student Success Center, visit www.csusb.edu/undocumented-student-success-center.