On-Campus Support and Allies for DREAMers

The Dreamers Discussion Group is a student-led effort to connect Dreamers with each other and support one another. If you are interested in joining, please complete this form or email mudreamers@gmail.com.

You may also consider joining the Marquette DREAMers Student Organization, a student-led, multicultural organization that strives to offer support students of undocumented, DACAmented, or mixed status and to advocate for the rights of the immigrant community in and outside Marquette's campus. 

Mission Statement

The Dreamers Support Committee 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.

Dreamers Support Committee Team 

• Dr. Jacki Black, Office of Inclusion & Belonging (Chair)
• Sofia Ascorbe, Law School 
• Dr. Sonia Barnes, Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
• Dr. Pilar Bellver, Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures
• Cassandra Calderon-Castro, Office of Financial Aid
• Pablo Cardenal, Campus Ministry
• Dr. Debbie Contreras-Tadych, Counseling Center
• Mary Czech-Mrochinksi, Office of Public Affairs
• Dr. Terrie Garcia, College of Nursing
• Dr. Sergio Gonzalez, Department of History; Latinx Studies Program
• Sara Harvey Berner, University Advancement
• Mary Janz, Office of Residence Life
• Dr. Laura Matthew, Department of History
• Fr. Greg O'Meara, Rector of the Jesuit Residence
• Michael Stock, Career Center
• Fr. John Thiede, Vice President of Mission & Ministry
• Yesenia Valle-Gomez, Office of Undergraduate Admissions
• Dr. Julissa Ventura, Department of Educational Policy and Leadership
• Student Representatives from the Dreamers Discussion Group and Marquette DREAMers Student Organization

The Dreamers Support Committee is supported by Dr. Chris Navia, Vice President for Inclusive Excellence.

For questions on university policies that affect Dreamers, or if your office or department would like more information regarding the challenges that these students face, please contact Jacki Black, Director for Hispanic Initiatives and Diversity & Inclusion Educational Programming at jacqueline.black@marquette.edu.

The Office of Inclusion and Belonging's primary focus 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 DREAMers:

• One-on-one mentoring/advising meetings with staff
• Center for Engagement and Inclusion, Alumni Memorial Union, Room 111. A safe and brave space providing direct support to Dreamers and other diverse student groups
• Book Loan Program: students can borrow classroom textbooks free of charge. For additional details, please contact: oib@marquette.edu.

We provide the following resources for faculty and staff:

• Educational presentations focused on the experience of Dreamers and national higher education trends
• One-on-one discussions on student diversity and inclusion

The Office of Inclusion & Belonging is also the primary sponsor of the annual Dreamers Gala, a student-led effort that raises funds for the Ignacio Ellacuria, S.J. Dreamers Scholarship. It is a beautiful celebration of the persistence of our Dreamers and our solidarity with them. For information on the gala or to get involved in planning or donating, please contact: 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 a Dreamer, contact the Office of Admissions at 414-288-7302 or admissions@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 Associate Vice Provost for Financial Aid and Enrollment Services, at susan.teerink@marquette.edu.

Due to unique barriers, it is very common for Dreamers 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.

The Academic Resource Center is a resource that helps students in their pursuit of academic and personal success through tutoring and other academic support programs. The ARC 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 Erik Albinson, Director of Academic Resource Center, at erik.albinson@marquette.edu or 414-288-3432.

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.

Opting into one of Marquette's Living Learning Communities is also a great way to create community with students who have similar interests or backgrounds. 

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.

The Marquette University Career Center staff is available to provide comprehensive career education, and professional preparation services and resources for undergraduate students, graduate students, and alumni. They have also collated information regarding post-graduation options for Dreamers here.

For navigating career questions as a Dreamer, 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. You can also connect with Courtney Hanson, the director of the Career Center, directly at (414) 288-3577 or courtney.hanson@marquette.edu. 

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.

Marquette University Police Department (MUPD) is dedicated to maintaining a safe environment conducive to learning, living and working at Marquette. 

With respect to immigration enforcement, MUPD will follow the law. MUPD follows this guidance for interacting with non-MUPD law enforcement agents. If a non-MUPD law enforcement official, including an ICE agent, requests access to a campus facility, building, or any portion of the campus in which public access is restricted by a front desk, key or access card, the employee or department receiving this request must immediately contact MUPD and inform them of such a request. MUPD may be contacted 24/7, 365 days per year, at 414-288-1911.