About the Undocumented Student Resource Center

Northern Illinois University welcomes a diverse community of people and is committed to providing all students with access and support so that they can be successful. NIU also recognizes that undocumented students have a number of factors that impact their path to earning a college degree. The university is proud of its long-standing commitment to fostering an environment that is committed to student success, and through the USRC we are able to center the experiences and needs of our undocumented students. The work of the USRC centers undocumented students’ path to earning their degrees through programs and resources that support them, and all NIU students, in achieving their goals, find and utilize resources and see their dreams realized.

History

Presidential Task Force

Understanding the importance of the recruitment, retention and success of undocumented students, NIU President John G. Peters commissioned the Presidential Task Force for the Support of Undocumented Students in 2013. At that time, NIU was viewed by many of its peers as a forward-thinking institution that had already taken important steps to champion the needs of this important population.

Ongoing Support Initiatives

• DREAM Action NIU: Student-led organization.
• Undocumented Ally Training: Annual training for faculty and staff on how to more effectively assist and support all students, with a particular focus on undocumented students at NIU.