The Dreamers Resource Center (DRC) at San Bernardino Valley College has been acknowledged for its mighty contribution to the Latino community by Excelencia through Education, an organization that nationally recognizes evidence-based practices increasing Latino student success in higher education.

In a time where undocumented students across college campuses have been anticipating federal changes, this recognition highlights how California and SBVC are providing resources to continue the academic and career goals of these Dreamers.

Excelencia in Education received submissions from over 160 programs with evidence of improving Latino student success. The Dreamers Resource Center at SBVC was one of only 19 programs selected as “Examples of Excelencia.”

The criteria for recognition of any program under consideration for focuses on a program’s success supported by evidence that shows its effectiveness in increasing Latino student success in higher education. San Bernardino Valley College was highlighted as an innovative program to watch in 2018, whose DRC program was commended on its cultural competency by taking Latino students background and history into account.

This SBVC resource was also praised for focusing on the dense Latino demographic around campus, demonstrating correlation between the program’s practice and the students’ success, and leaving a mark while in its mere 3-year infancy.

Established in Spring of 2015, the DRC at Valley College provides a suitable learning environment for all students, though it reach focuses on undocumented students, DACA applicants, and those with questions about their citizen status regarding college education.

“The accolade is not an end-all, but a reminder to strive for excellence at all levels, and then some,” says Sylvia Juarez, First Year Experience liaison at SBVC, echoing the vision to spur excellence at all levels for all students.

This announcement by Excelencia is a hopeful omen of future advances for the DRC, that guidance and hope may reverberate throughout not just the Latino community, but to all who are or feel franchised in the vexing college realm. The organization will use these paradigms of excellence to inform policy and compel action by using real, actionable systems for increasing Latino success.