A big red ribbon unfurled in front of the door to a “beacon of light” for undocumented students at California State University, Long Beach.
On Monday, CSULB held an open house for the new Dream Success Center that financially, academically and emotionally helps undocumented students attending CSULB.
Over 100 people attended the Dream Success Center’s open house. This marked the fourth center to open in the California State University system, joining Fullerton, Northridge and Los Angeles.
Elizabeth Zambrano, a senior English major and the vice president of Future Underrepresented Educated Leaders, said that the opening of a dream center on campus was a long and challenging process.
“Someone told us while our endeavors were commendable, we were too early in the movement,” Zambrano said. “And that CSULB still needed time to learn and support undocumented students.”
Rafael Topete, the director of college assistance migrant program and the Dream Success Center, said he believes that the opening of the dream center is a big step forward for the university. He said there are about 700 undocumented students at CSULB.
“All we are looking to do is close the opportunity gap,” Topete said. “We have students who are ready to succeed here, and through the use of resources that we will provide, information and referrals, it will give them the tools to better succeed here.”
Zambrano spoke during the open house about how finding the space, resources and funds to operate the facility were huge roadblocks for the center. She said that the Dream Success Center is a beacon of light for the undocumented students, because the center provides a place for students to visit without worrying that they will be judged
“The center is a welcoming physical space that students can go to for resources, but most of all, it provides a safe place that you can come to the center and not worry that your undocumented status will be questioned, judged, or criticized on,” Zambrano said.
Edgar Romo, the coordinator of the Dream Success Center, said he agrees that there were obstacles along the way, but the impact that the center will have on undocumented students will be worth it.
“It took a lot of effort to get students, administration, faculty and the campus in general to really recognize the troubles that these students face,” Romo said. “It also took time to be provided with resources. To open up this center took a few years.”
Romo said that the biggest resource that the center can provide is information on financial aid, academic resources, personal support and training for staff members.
University President Jane Close Conoley said she envisions the center as a place for students to connect with one another. She also said that she has no doubts that CSULB’s Dream Success Center will be the best in the nation in meeting students’ needs.
“Each of you who are in this undocumented AB 540 status, have unique experiences that only you can share with each other,” Conoley said during her speech at the open house. “And I think that is a great gift to offer your fellow students and to us.”