Inclusive Community
The dream is alive for DREAMers at CBU
When talking about her experience at CBU as a DREAMer—an undocumented immigrant who came to the U.S. as a minor— Noemi Y. Gomora is quickly overcome with emotions and brought to tears.
Noemi is one of approximately 221 Dreamers at CBU who are working toward obtaining a degree. In the Spring of 2021, CBU graduated the largest class of DREAMer scholars ever—36. And the fall incoming class of 52 DREAMers is the largest to date.
The Dream Act would permanently protect certain immigrants who came to the U.S. as children but are vulnerable to deportation. However, it has not passed since it was originally brought before Congress in 2001. President Obama started the DACA Act (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) via executive order in 2012. In its most simple form, DACA is type of work authorization for students that are without any other legal status.
The DACA program was rescinded in 2017 under President Trump, leaving a large, incoming population of DREAMers that are without the those benefits because they missed the necessary cutoff dates.
The term “DREAMer” encompasses all young people who would potentially benefit from the DREAM Act, which includes both DACA and undocumented students. The barriers for DREAMers are vast and challenging—from not having access to financial aid to language obstacles.
“I’m very proud of myself but also for those other DREAMers as well,” she said. “I’ve created a new family at CBU. I’ve never felt so much at home when I’m not even at home. You’re a part of the team at CBU.”
The sophomore at CBU is working toward a degree in psychology.
“I got into psychology because of not having what I should have had in guidance between middle school and high school.”
The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, known as the DREAM Act, is a United States legislative proposal to grant temporary conditional residency, with the right to work, to undocumented immigrants who entered the United States as minors—and, if they later satisfy further qualifications, they will attain permanent residency.
“At Christian Brothers University, our identity and mission as a Lasallian community call for us each day to reach out and provide our support to those who may be feeling marginalized, unseen or unsupported by society,” Jack T. Shannon, president of Christian Brothers University, said. “Taking such action is oftentimes neither an easy nor popular thing to do. It is, however, something that is not only right and just, but also completely aligned with our Lasallian and Catholic values.”
Kathleen A. Terry-Sharp, associate vice president for corporate and foundation relations, said that CBU has a focus on Dreamers because doing so falls in line with the University’s commitment to its Lasallian values.
“DREAMers don’t have access to financial aid, which makes it really difficult for them to get a higher education,” she explained. “Dreamers are educated through public schools, and then there is nothing else for them after that—I think that is unjust.”
CBU partnered with TheDream.Us which works to help thousands or highly motivated DREAMers graduate from college with career-ready degrees.
“Since our founding in 1871, our University has worked tirelessly to make the American dream of a college education available to tens of thousands of striving and hard-working students,” Shannon said. “Consistent with the work first started by St. John Baptist de La Salle and the Christian Brothers more than three centuries ago, we have purposefully worked to make sure that the marginalized, the neglected and the under-resourced are always among the students that we serve. Consistent with that Lasallian mission, in recent years, we have worked with similarly committed partners to support the educational aspirations of a group of our students colloquially known as the DREAMers.”
Originally from Mexico, Jacqueline Herrera Otero received her undergraduate degree in Nashville before joining the CBU team to oversee theDream.US Opportunity and National scholarships, CBU’s Equal Chance for Education scholarship and Latino Success Scholarship recipients.
As the DREAMer scholar advisor, I advise all students who are on the Dream.us opportunity as well as oversee Latino student success,” she said. “I enjoy being able to serve the students whose shoes I was in just a few years ago.”
Herrera Otero said that it is rate to find institutions in the local area that have as many opportunities available for DREAMers as CBU. Her role is solely dedicated to meeting the needs of these students.
“During my undergraduate career, I was only one of five students at the school who was a DREAMer,” she explained. “I genuinely care for these students at CBU, and it matters to have that representation on campus. I know how they feel, I know where they’re coming from, and I’ve walked in those footsteps.”
Being a DREAMer can take an emotional and psychological toll on students. Many are first-generation college students who may also be working part-time or full-time to provide for their families.
“Most of our DREAMer students are the oldest of their siblings,” Herrera Otero said. “It’s a big responsibility in our culture, because you take care of the siblings and home while the parents work. Some of these students are the primary breadwinners. They’re the only one with work authorizations. It’s amazing how they can come to campus and feel at home and still perform so well academically.”
Terry-Sharp said the University is weaving together several initiatives and programs to help DREAMers. In addition to Herrera Otero, CBU has two, full-time recruiters who focus on recruiting DREAMers, and who are both bilingual.
“We’re trying really hard to leverage different funding sources to build on programs so we can reach additional students,” Terry-Sharp said. “The DREAMers are benefiting from several different programs we have running concurrently to make sure that they do graduate and that we are attracting the students who can be successful at CBU.”