WORKSHOPS & EVENT PROGRAMMING
Hosting a conference, ceremony, or special event? Our dynamic, ready-to-go programming offers engaging presentations for audiences ranging from students to administrative leadership. With undocu-anthropology-based content, our presentations are designed to inspire and captivate, adding a unique and impactful touch to any community gathering. Enrich your event and leave a lasting impression on your campus.
Our popular professional development workshop has trained more than 10,000 educators across California.
In the complex landscape of higher education, undocumented and mixed-status students navigate a unique set of institutional and pedagogical challenges. At the same time, this student population offers surprising insights into the very purpose of education and institutions like ours.
This session centers the lived experience of undocumented students to invite larger conversations about the role we play for every student. We will use the core commitments of Vision 2030 to create learning environments that are inclusive, and actively affirming.
- How campus culture matters
- An anthropological look at undocumented students
- Common barriers and promising practices
- Inter-departmental synergy as key to immigrant student success
- Applying lessons from undocumented students to help all students succeed
- Making California policy compliance understandable
- Management and leadership
- Classified staff
- Teaching faculty
- Student organizations
Culturally responsive guidance for counselors in K-12 and higher education systems.
Counselors provide a crucial institutional touchpoint for students navigating the complex journey to and through college. For undocumented students, this journey is fraught with invisible barriers that can derail their education before it begins.
This essential workshop moves beyond theory to provide the concrete knowledge and compassionate skills needed to actively dismantle these barriers. We equip counselors to become trusted guides.
- Identify and avoid the common systemic pitfalls that disproportionately cause undocumented students to drop out.
- Foster an actively welcoming office environment where immigrant and undocumented students feel safe and seen.
- Initiate compassionate, non-extractive conversations about legal status, centered on student agency and support.
- Build collaborative partnerships with campus Undocu-Centers and community resources.
K-12 Counselors, College and University Counselors
College is a family affair. Families learn to become at-home-support and important community recruiters for colleges.
“Join this presentation with your parents to learn together: Why college matters, how difficult it can be, and what type of support they can provide.
California wants more of us, regardless of legal-status, to come to college and learn important and useful skills (and how to use those skills even without a Social Security Number). But many of our community members don’t know this!
Invite your neighbors, your aunts and uncles, your churches, and even your old high school counselors to learn how California Colleges are worth it for immigrant students and how they can help spread the word.”
- Resources to help undocumented students enroll and graduate
- Strategies to succeed
- Legal protections in California, dismantling harmful myths (Public Charge, Illegality, Undeservingness)
- Parent responsibilities
- Strategies to talk to neighbors and family members about the importance of a college education
Current and prospective students, high school teachers and counselors, community members and allies
Explore the transformative power of youth activism in our workshop focused on the Dream Rights movement.
This pivotal social movement was predominantly led by young high school and college-aged women and queer individuals, whose bravery and innovation redefined the American imagination of what it means to be undocumented.
Through a combination of historical analysis and storytelling, this workshop will uncover why this often-forgotten history is vital for today’s social rights movements. Attendees will learn how the strategies and successes of these young trailblazers can inform and inspire modern activism, ensuring a more inclusive and equitable future.
- Insight into the intersectional dynamics of the Dream Rights movement
- Recognition of the pivotal roles played by young women and queer activists
- Understanding the movement’s impact on the perception of undocumented individuals
- Applying historical lessons to current and future social justice initiatives
As we embrace the entrepreneurial journey, we have an opportunity to rethink what it means to have a job or run a business.
This workshop redefines jobs and businesses as vital roles that address key community needs, offering a fresh perspective on entrepreneurship. It’s tailored for undocumented students who are contemplating their entrepreneurial path but might not see themselves as traditional “hustlers” or “grinders.”
Instead, this workshop celebrates the contributions of those who approach business with care, empathy, and a desire to make a difference.
- Reimagining the concept of work and entrepreneurship in the context of undocumented experiences
- Understanding how businesses can fulfill important community roles
- Exploring entrepreneurial opportunities for those who may not fit conventional molds
- Encouragement and support for gentle souls who want to contribute meaningfully through business
Undocumented Students, Aspiring Entrepreneurs, Community Leaders, Support Organizations
Setting the right tone for your event is critical to its success. We’d be honored to keynote and leave a lasting impression that inspires action!
We tailor each speech to resonate with the specific themes and goals of your event, ensuring that your audience is engaged and inspired from the very beginning. Our goal is to empower attendees to take control of their futures, offering a message of hope, resilience, and communal support.
Whether you’re seeking a keynote speaker to provide a profound and motivational address or a master of ceremonies to guide your event with grace and insight, we bring a deep understanding of the issues and a commitment to making each moment meaningful.
- Professional and engaging presentation tailored to captivate and motivate your audience
- Expertise in shaping content to fit the specific needs and context of your event
- Custom-made speeches that align with your event’s themes and objectives
- Inspiring messages on mutual help, community growth, and living a full life with or without papers
Conferences, Ceremonies, Community Gatherings, Professional Events, and Special Occasions
This session is perfect for campuses looking to support the creation of a Dream Resource Center (DRC).
Dive into the impactful role of a DRC by examining successful models from across California, and learn how these centers address critical student needs and enhance campus life.
Explore what it truly means for a campus to establish a DRC, including the significance of its name and the profound effect it can have on student support and community building. This workshop provides actionable insights, proven strategies, and common pitfalls to avoid, equipping you with the tools needed to effectively propose and develop an DRC at your institution.
- Discover the impact of Dream Resource Centers on campus communities
- Learn from successful Dream Centers and understand the essential services they offer
- Explore the strategic importance of naming and branding for maximum impact
- Gain practical guidance and avoid common mistakes in creating and proposing a DRC
Student Clubs, Campus Leaders, Campus Allies
When cultural norms clash with colonial hiring practices, systemically disenfranchised students (and professionals) are at a disadvantage.
Our students face a fiercely competitive job market, where one of the first barriers is creating a resume that opens doors. The second: interviewing like a pro. In this workshop, we provide practical resume-building strategies and interviewing tips, all framed through social and philosophical theoretical lenses.
Participants will explore how constructing a resume can be viewed as a radical act of self-creation, challenging the colonial norms embedded in hiring practices. By rethinking how they present themselves on paper and in person, attendees will gain the tools needed to navigate and challenge the biased systems that often place marginalized communities at a disadvantage.
- Learn effective resume-building strategies to stand out in a competitive market
- Understand interviewing techniques that align with personal and cultural values
- Explore the resume as a tool for radical self-expression and professional growth
- Recognize the colonial structures in hiring practices and develop strategies to overcome them
Students, educators, community members
Explore the rich history of anthropology, from its colonial origins to its evolution as a tool for liberation and social justice.
Learn about the foundational theories and influential academics that shape UndocuScholars LLC’s programming and discover how we translate these concepts into impactful, real-world applications.
In this session, we will unveil the inner workings of UndocuScholars LLC, showcasing how social science principles are applied to address pressing issues and support the undocumented community. Gain insights into how anthropology can be harnessed for good, understand its historical context, and see how its principles drive meaningful change in our work.
- Understanding the historical evolution of anthropology and its role in social justice
- Insights into the theories and academics that influence our work
- How we translate anthropological concepts into impactful programming
- Exploring the practical applications of social science in creating meaningful change
Academics, Social Scientists, Community Organizers, Students, and Community Members
With both reverence and a sense of humor, we invite participants to explore the holiday’s unique blend of celebration and contemplation.
Immerse yourself in the vibrant and multifaceted celebration of the Day of the Dead. This session explores the rich history and cultural significance of this Mesoamerican tradition, offering a deep dive into its celebration, beauty, and political impact.
As an anthropologically informed program, we will examine profound questions such as: What role does death play in a community? How does our relationship with death shape our lives? And what does it mean that even death has permeable borders?
Discover how this tradition challenges and enriches our understanding of life and death, and how stepping out of our comfort zones can help us face the inevitable with humor and grace.
- Understanding the history and cultural significance of the Day of the Dead
- Exploring the political impact and critiques of this celebration
- Delving into anthropological questions about the role of death in community and individual life
- Embracing the holiday’s blend of reverence and humor to explore our relationship with death
Students, Community Members, Cultural Enthusiasts, Educators, and General Public
