I am writing to you today to reaffirm UC San Diego’s unwavering commitment to supporting our undocumented students as important and vital members of our campus. Undocumented students are at the forefront of advocating for change, and their resilience and determination inspire us all. Their voices must continue to be heard, and their needs addressed with urgency and compassion.
Understanding the Context
Recent discussions surrounding the Opportunity For All (O4All) initiative and the subsequent decision by the University of California Board of Regents have brought to light the challenges faced by our undocumented undergraduate and graduate students in accessing educational employment opportunities due to their status. Despite the setback in the implementation of Regents Policy 4407, our dedication to providing support for undocumented students remains steadfast.
At UC San Diego, Undocumented Student Services (USS) will use the funding boost to expand the PACE Fellowship program and support participation in other existing experiential learning opportunities. Fellowships are flexible mechanisms by which educational institutions can provide scholarship and professional opportunities to all students – regardless of immigration status – that foster a deeper connection to the institution.
About the PACE Fellowship
A USS flagship program, the Professional and Career Experience (PACE) Fellowship provides eligible UC San Diego AB 540 and CA Dream Act students an opportunity to participate in a cohort-based on-campus experiential learning activity that incorporates mentorship, professional, and scholastic development with financial aid support. Selected students receive up to $6,000 distributed over three quarters to support their professional goals and interests.
In the 2023-24 academic year, 19 students were selected to participate in the PACE program, while seed funding from the UC Office of the President will allow USS to fund 13 additional fellowships this academic year. Selected students will receive a $2,000 award to support their professional development in Spring Quarter 2024.
How to get involved
If you know a student who can benefit from participation in the PACE Fellowship program for the next academic year (2024-25), please encourage them to apply before May 17, 2024. I also encourage you to consider becoming a host site or mentoring a student via the PACE Fellowship program by contacting the USS at undoc@ucsd.edu.
Collective Responsibility
Our work does not end here. We must continue to explore and implement additional measures to further support undocumented students on our campus, and engage in ongoing dialogue and collaboration among all Tritons.
By working together, we can help our undocumented students learn, thrive and build a path toward their professional futures. Thank you for your dedication to our shared values and for your continued support of our undocumented students.
