Undocumented Student On-Campus Support and Allies

Mission Statement

The Undocumented Student Taskforce is a network of allies, including staff, faculty, administrators, and students dedicated to providing a safe, supportive and welcoming educational environment at Marquette University for undocumented students.

 We promote the dignity of every Marquette student by actively working towards the following goals:

• Create awareness of the undocumented student experience
• Educate our college about resources
• Promote equitable access to services
• Collaborate and partner with the larger community

Vision

To create a supportive and welcoming learning environment for all students to succeed, regardless of immigration status.

Core Task Force Team

• Dr. Marla Guerrero, Counselor/Diversity Coordinator, Counseling Center
• Bernardo Ávila-Borunda, Assistant Director for Multicultural Student Ministry, Campus Ministry
• Yarlian Vazquez, Counselor, Office of Financial Aid
• Stephanie Melendrez, Office Associate, College of Nursing

Additional Task Force Members

• Jacki Black, Associate Director for Hispanic Initiatives, Office of the Provost
• Dr. Kathy Coffey-Guenther, Associate Vice President of Mission and Ministry, Mission & Ministry
• Mary Czech-Mrochinksi, Associate Vice President, Office of Public Affairs
• Professor Ed Fallone, Associate Professor, Law School
• Gerry Fischer, Associate Director, Campus Ministry
• Dr. Sergio Gonzalez, Assistant Professor, Latinx Studies
• Dr. Carie Hertzberg, Director of Marquette University Burke Scholarship Program, Office of Student Development
• Mary Janz, Director of Residence Life, Division of Student Affairs
• Jenna Lassila, Assistant Director of Academic Advising, College of Engineering
• Fr. T. Michael McNulty, SJ, Scholar in Residence, Center for Peacemaking
• Mary Minson, Senior Assistant Dean of Advising, Klingler College of Arts and Sciences
• Kelly Neumann, Assistant Dean for New Student and Family Programs, Office of Student Development
• Charonda Oliphant, Career Counselor, Career Services
• Maira Rodriguez, Counselor, Office Undergraduate Admissions
• Christina Sanchez, Event Planner, University Special Events
• Oscar Silva, Graduate Assistant, Office of Intercultural Engagement
• Darryle (DJ) Todd, Urban Scholars Coordinator, Student Educational Services
• DeJuan Washington, Coordinator for Latinx and Asian American Student Services, Center for Intercultural Engagement

The primary focus of the Center for Intercultural Engagement is to enhance the overall quality of the Marquette experience of underrepresented diverse students by supporting, facilitating, and promoting academic, social, cultural, and personal success. Office staff provide the following resources/support for undocumented students:

• Dreamers Discussion Group: mentoring and support group open to all undocumented students
• One-on-one mentoring/advising meetings with staff
• Center for Intercultural Engagement, Alumni Memorial Union, Room 111. A safe and brave space providing direct support to undocumented students and other diverse student groups
• Book Loan Program: students can borrow classroom textbooks free of charge. For additional details, please contact Christina Sanchez at christina.sanchez@marquette.edu.
• Dreamers Gala: yearly fundraising event to support Ellacuria Scholarship Fund
• Ignacio Ellacuria Scholarship: Our office oversees the scholarship selection process.

We provide the following resources for faculty and staff:

• Educational presentations focused on the undocumented student experience and national higher education trends
• Dreamers Taskforce, a Division of Student Affairs initiative, composed of ten University departments
• One-on-one discussions on student diversity and inclusion

For questions about the Office of Intercultural Engagement, contact Eva Martinez Powless, Director for Intercultural Engagement, at eva.martinez@marquette.edu, or stop by the first floor of the Alumni Memorial Union, Room 111.

The The Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, under the umbrella of the Provost’s Office, is committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive campus environment for all diverse students, regardless of age, culture, faith, ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, language, disability, social class, or immigration status. For questions on university policies that affect undocumented students, or if your office or department would like more information regarding the challenges that these students face, please contact Jacki Black, Associate Director for Hispanic Initiatives, at jacqueline.black@marquette.edu.

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions is committed to recruiting and admitting a diverse pool of prospective students, regardless of immigration status. For questions about how to apply to MU as an undocumented student, contact Zuleyka Rios or Maira Rodriguez, bilingual Admissions Counselors, at zuleyka.rios@marquette.edu or maira.rodriguez@marquette.edu. Or read the undergraduate statement on undocumented students.

Marquette Central is the student resource center for the registrar, financial aid, and bursar information. For assistance, you can come to the first floor of Zilber from 8am-4:30pm, or contact Margaret Zitzer, Marquette Central Student Services Adviser at margaret.zitzer@marquette.edu or Susan Teerink, the Director of Financial Aid, at susan.teerink@marquette.edu.

Due to unique barriers, it is very common for undocumented youth to experience worry, anxiety, and depression at much higher rates than the general population. The MU Counseling Center is here to help. The counselors promote a holistic approach to the psychological health and development of all students, and are committed to culturally competent practices. Services at the Marquette University Counseling Center are free to full-time Marquette and MIAD students. To schedule an appointment, call (414) 288-7172, or stop by the 2nd floor of Holthusen Hall Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Rooted in the Catholic tradition and inspired by the life and charism of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Campus Ministry works to meet the diverse spiritual needs and interests of Marquette University’s campus community, engaging students through retreats, works of justice, worship, reflection, interfaith dialogue and cross-cultural immersion. Campus Ministers also provide pastoral care to those seeking spiritual guidance in the face of life’s challenges, including that of being undocumented. For questions about Campus Ministry, contact: Mary Sue Callan-Farley, Director, at mary.callan-farley@marquette.edu, or Bernardo Ávila-Borunda(Spanish/English/Bilingual), Assistant Director for Multicultural Student Ministry, at jaime.avila-borunda@marquette.edu; or Gerry Fischer, Associate Director of Campus Ministry, at gerald.fischer@marquette.edu.

The Office of Student Educational Services is a resource that helps students in their pursuit of academic and personal success through tutoring and other academic support programs. The OSES staff strives to create a culture that welcomes and responds to all students, but is especially attentive to issues experienced by students from diverse backgrounds and to the many contexts shaping student lives as they live, learn and develop at the University. For questions, stop by the first floor of Coughlin Hall or contact Karen Desotelle, Director of Student Educational Services, at karen.desotelle@marquette.edu.

The Office of Residence Life is committed to creating safe, inclusive communities in our residence halls and university owned apartments. In order to achieve this goal, we have a variety of resources and programmatic efforts that are utilized throughout the year. Programmatically students are encouraged to participate in such activities as roommate agreements and community standards meetings to provide opportunities for dialogue and conflict management. Our in-hall student and professional staff are trained in both supporting students and referring to campus resources as appropriate. If you have questions or are experiencing issues in your residence hall, talk to your Resident Assistant or Residence Hall Director. If you need to contact the Office of Residence Life please feel free to stop by our office, 203 Carpenter Tower or contact Mary Janz, Executive Director of Housing and Residence Life at mary.janz@marquette.edu.

Diversity Advocates are a group of staff and faculty who provide support, mentorship and advocacy to students of diverse backgrounds and are passionate about creating an inclusive and welcoming campus community in which everyone’s unique backgrounds, identities, cultures and perspectives are respected, embraced and celebrated. For questions, contact Nick Jenkins at nicholas.jenkins@marquette.edu.

The Marquette University Career Services Center staff is available to provide comprehensive career education, and professional preparation services and resources for undergraduate students, graduate students, and alumni. For navigating career questions as an undocumented student, call (414) 288-7423 to schedule an appointment, or stop by Holthusen Hall, first floor, Monday through Friday from 8a.m. to 4:30p.m.

A bias incident is any discriminatory or hurtful act that appears to be motivated or is perceived by the victim or victims to be motivated by race, ethnicity, religion, age, national origin, sex, disability, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran or socioeconomic status. To be considered a bias incident, the act is not required to be a crime under any federal, state or local statutes. If you have experienced or witnessed a bias incident and want more information about how to report it, please visit the Division of Student Affairs website.