I joined BD CC because it is a space where undocumented students can come together and create their own opportunities. I have been part of BD for two years now. My favorite memory with BD is working late on homework and organizing work and going to the dining hall together after our meetings. 

I remember getting the first BD general body meeting invite in 2018 and feeling excited to be part of a space that acknowledges the different intersections of being part of an undocumented, refugee, mixed status family and ally. I joined the BD CC team to be part of helping create a space that focuses on celebrating, uplifting and acknowledging these different experiences.

Coming from community college, Dani was the first undocumented student to come from his community college to UC Santa Cruz in five years. Being 300 miles away from his home and his safe space, Daniel along with friends who he met at the Undocumented Student Services Extended Orientation decided to create their own community and their own safe space by creating an undocumented student-led space known as Beyond Dreams. During his time at Beyond Dreams, Daniel enjoyed being part of a supportive community where he did not have to worry about being undocumented. His favorite memory from Beyond Dreams is hanging out with other community members at night sharing stories and conspiracy theories until 3am. Daniel became involved at STARS by working as a transition Mentor helping fellow transfer students transition to UC Santa Cruz and became involved with United We Dream and the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning in order to develop ways in which students could led classes using peer-to-peer learning models putting students as the main producers of knowledge.

I joined BD CC because I wanted to be a part of a team that was working on creating a strong community within undocu students at UCSC along side my friends. My favorite memory with BD was when we would order pineapple & jalapeño pizza while we studied together.