Experiences and Sense of Belonging Among the Dream.US Students at Farmingdale State College

Authors: Damari Machado, Dylan Gafarian, MaryBeth Apriceno, Ph.D.

SUNY Campus: Farmingdale State College

Presentation Type: Poster

Location: Old Union Hall

Presentation #: 34

Timeslot: Session D 3:00-4:00 PM

Abstract: Experiences and Sense of Belonging among the Dream.US students at Farmingdale State College (FSC) is a study that highlights the unique stories of undocumented students pursuing a bachelor's degree at FSC. As FSC enters its third year as a Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) awardee and a Hispanic Serving Institution according to SUNY standards, it is important to examine the impact on undergraduate students, particularly undocumented students. The Dream.US Scholarship, FSC’s largest privatized scholarship, provides financial assistance to undocumented students at partner universities. Recruitment will use snowball sampling, with a trusted member of the scholarship conducting outreach. Participants will take part in a focus group with open-ended questions about their college expectations, cultural representation at the institution, challenges, coping strategies, career concerns, and the influence of immigration status on their academic journey. A demographic survey will gather contextual data such as age, major, country of birth, and immigration status. Analysis of the focus group discussions will identify patterns related to undocumented students’ experiences. All findings will be reported anonymously to protect participant identity. This research will offer valuable insights into the needs and experiences of undocumented students at FSC and provide a foundation for future studies at other Dream.US partner institutions.