Fresno State will announce a fundraising campaign today to support its new Dream Outreach and Success Program. The drive is designed to bolster the program’s efforts to help undocumented students — called “Dreamers” after The California Dream Act – enter college and achieve academic success.

University President Joseph I. Castro and Dr. Frank R. Lamas, vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, will outline the drive – which includes the establishment of an endowment — at a reception 5 – 7 p.m. today (Feb. 16), in the Table Mountain Rancheria Reading Room of the Henry Madden Library.

Two Dreamers will be at the event to share their experiences: Alejandra Leon Arredondo, a Fresno State Mass Communication and Journalism major, and alumnus Jesus Rios, who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering and is now an administrator at ITT Technical Institute in Clovis.

Fresno State’s program launched in August and features two components – the Dream Outreach Center to assist unenrolled, undocumented students interested in pursuing higher education, and the Dream Success Center to assist new and current students.

The California Dream Act (Assembly Bills 130 and 131) allows undocumented and nonresident documented students who meet certain provisions under Assembly Bill 540 to apply for and receive private scholarships funded through public universities, state-administered financial aid, university grants, community college fee waivers and Cal Grants.

AB540 created a new exemption from payment of non-resident tuition for certain nonresident students who have attended high school in California and received a high school diploma or its equivalent.

In the fall 2015 semester, 558 students were in Fresno State’s program, up from 312 in 2012. Nearly 80 percent of these students are in good academic standing, with 15.5 percent making either the Dean’s List (3.5 GPA) or the President’s List (4.0 GPA). More than 1,115 new Dream students have applied for Fresno State for the fall 2016 semester.

Lamas said Dreamer students are confronted with major hurdles as they attempt to navigate the enrollment and financial aid processes to gain access to higher education. He expects the Dream programs will facilitate a sense of belonging for students and will help accomplish a higher rate of student success.

“Students finding resources to pay college and living expenses is an ongoing challenge,” Lamas said. “In addition, guidance and support is needed to resolve student challenges as they persist through the University.”

Juan Arambula and Tim Rios are the first to contribute to the fundraising campaign. Supporters are encouraged to join the effort at the following levels:

  • “Dream Builder – Bronze” ($500-$1,499);
  • “One Dreamer at a Time – Silver” ($1,500-$4,999);
  • “Memorials and Remembrances – Gold” to honor a loved one by giving a gift in their name ($5,000-$10,000);
  • “Endowment Fund – Platinum” ($25,000 contribution) that will help establish an endowment to provide ongoing support for Dreamers and AB540 students.

“Lives are changed and dreams of generations are realized when Dreamers have the opportunity to succeed,” President Castro said.

Dream Outreach Center services are presently available for incoming students in the University Outreach Services office located in the University Center building, Room 100 (east of the Madden Library) and coordinated by Raul Z. Moreno.

“The Outreach Center will work to inform educators, students and families about educational options available to undocumented students,” said Dr. Malisa Lee, associate vice president for Enrollment Services.

For enrolled students receiving ongoing academic and personal support services, the Dream Success Center is temporarily in the Student Success Services office located in the Joyal Administration Building, Room 224 until a permanent location can be established this summer.

“The Success Center will make referrals to a comprehensive network of tutoring, advising, and supplemental instruction services that support student persistence through degree completion, career designated internships and future jobs,” said Maxine McDonald, associate vice president for Student Success Management through the Educational Opportunity Program.

Lamas will also announce that Gabriella Encinas has been hired to coordinate the Success Center. Prior to this position, Encinas worked as an academic counselor in the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology and previously as a counselor in the College Assistance Migrant Program.

For more information about donating contact David Hembree, development director for Student Affairs, at dhembree@csufresno.edu.

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