UC Merced's virtual 2020 UndocuGrad Conference will feature weekly webinars designed to acquaint students from undocumented communities with academic and career opportunities past the baccalaureate. Participants will receive helpful information and resources for applying to and navigating through graduate/professional school, as well as, advice on successfully transitioning to the job market. The conference will also highlight inspirational success stories from former and current undocumented graduate students and professionals, in order to facilitate a strong sense of belonging and professionalization amongst the undocumented community.
REGISTRATION
This virtual conference is FREE and open to undocumented individuals interested in or currently attending graduate/professional school and those who want to know about available career opportunities regardless of their status. Allies are also welcome!
Register here for some or all of the available conference webinars. Zoom login details will be emailed prior to each conference session.
Please email undocugrad@ucmerced.edu with any questions.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE & RECORDINGS (Click Program Title to View Recorded Session)
July 8, 2020 from 12:00 - 1:30pm
Pursuing Graduate/Professional School as an Undocumented Scholar
This webinar is designed to help undocumented scholars who are interested in learning about graduate/professional school opportunities post-undergrad. Speakers from UC Merced’s Graduate Division will cover what graduate/professional school is and what the application process generally entails with a specific focus on navigating this process as an undocumented scholar. The speakers will also discuss various potential funding sources that can help support undocumented scholars throughout their graduate career. Participants will be able to submit questions throughout the webinar and a dedicated Q&A session will also be held at the end of the webinar.
Presented By: Jesus Cisneros, Assistant Dean of Graduate Education & Eric Cannon, Graduate Financial Services Director
July 15, 2020 from 12:00 - 2:00pm
Navigating Graduate/Professional School as an Undocumented Scholar: A Panel of Current and Former Student
This webinar is designed to highlight the inspirational stories of current and former undocumented scholars in graduate/professional school. A panel of speakers will share their personal experiences of applying to and navigating through graduate/professional school. They will also share what has helped them overcome self-doubt and negative voices and provide helpful tips for undocumented scholars currently in or considering graduate/professional school. Speakers will consist of current or former undocumented scholars in graduate, medical, and law school. Participants will be able to submit questions throughout the webinar and a dedicated Q&A session will also be held at the end of the webinar.
Panelists: TBA
July 22, 2020 from 12:00 - 1:30pm
Career Opportunities for Undocumented Individuals
This webinar is designed to familiarize undocumented individuals with potential career opportunities through which they can earn a living regardless of their status. Speakers will discuss various ways undocumented individuals—with and without work permits—can earn a living and provide helpful information and resources to help them navigate the job search. Participants will be able to submit questions throughout the webinar and a dedicated Q&A session will also be held at the end of the webinar.
Presented By: Illiana Perez, Director of Research & Entrepreneuership, Immigrants Rising
July 29, 2020 from 12:00 - 1:30pm
This webinar is designed to empower undocumented individuals by familiarizing them with their rights and highlighting available resources. Speakers will specifically discuss the rights that all undocumented individuals —with and without work permits—have and provide helpful information about the various legal resources available to undocumented scholars all over California. Participants will be able to submit questions throughout the webinar and a dedicated Q&A session will also be held at the end of the webinar.
Presented By: Rachel Ray, Managing Attorney, UC Immigrant Legal Services Center
ABOUT UC MERCED
UC Merced opened its doors in 2005, as the newest campus in the University of California system and the first American research university of the 21st century. As of Fall 2019, UC Merced has over 8,500 students, including nearly 700 graduate students across 18 graduate programs.
- Maria Ramirez Loyola, PhD Candidate in Psychological Sciences, UC Merced
- Keyla Ruiz Ramirez, Psychology Undergrad, UC Merced
- Alexandria Pabst, PhD Candidate in Cognitive Sciences, UC Merced
- Diana Valdivia, Past Conference Chair and Undocumented Student Services Coordinator, UC Santa Barbara
- Jesús Cisneros, Assistant Dean for Graduate Education, UC Merced
- Alejandro Delgadillo, Associate Director of the Bright Success Center, UC Merced
- Eric Cannon, Graduate Financial Services Director, UC Merced
- Dania Matos, Associate Chancellor and Chief Diversity Officer, UC Merced
- Marjorie Zatz, Vice Provost and Graduate Dean, UC Merced
Thanks to our Fellowship Recipients:
- Daniel Sanchez Garrido, Graduate Student Fellow
- Adrian Buitron Boada, Undergraduate Student Fellow
- Victoria Camops Gatica, Undergraduate Student Fellow
