Publish Date: Sep 7, 2017
Rep. Panetta to hold DACA Press Conference at Hartnell
SALINAS, Calif. – Hartnell Community College District will host a press conference with Congressman Jimmy Panetta to discuss President Donald Trump’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Media and community are invited to attend on:
Saturday, September 9, 2017
10:00 a.m. - in front of the Student Services Building
(See map – Park in Structure)
411 Central Avenue, Salinas, CA .
Rep. Panetta will be joined by DACA recipients currently enrolled as students at the school, two of whom will speak about their experiences as DREAMers. Immediately following the press conference, Congressman Panetta will hold a private roundtable with the DREAMers. The roundtable is closed to the press.
"Regardless of President Trump's action to terminate the DACA program, Hartnell College is committed to the higher education dreams of our DREAMers," stated Hartnell’s Superintendent/President, Dr. Willard Lewallen.
Last year, Hartnell enrolled 880 students eligible under California Assembly Bill 540 (amended under AB 2000). DREAMers are exempt from non-resident tuition and most are eligible for the Board of Governors (BOG) enrollment fee waiver. This represents a 202% increase in AB-540 students since 2010-11. "Simply put, this dramatic increase is a reflection of the inclusive and welcoming environment that has been created by the faculty, staff, and administrators of the College," added Dr. Lewallen.
In April 2016, Hartnell opened one of the first DREAMers Centers at a California community college. Mi CASA (Center for Achievement and Student Advancement) provides services and support for DREAMer students. More at http://www.hartnell.edu/mi-casa-hartnell-college-dreamer-center .
Media contact is Director of Communications, Marketing, and Public Relations, Esmeralda Montenegro Owen at 831-206-9422 or emontenegro@hartnell.edu.
Hartnell Community College District – established in 1920
The Hartnell CCD serves over 17,000 students annually through its main campus in Salinas, the Alisal Campus in East Salinas, the King City Education Center, and various outreach learning centers throughout the Salinas Valley. Hartnell College, a Hispanic Serving Institution, provides associate degree and certificate programs, workforce training, courses in basic skills, and prepares students for transfer to four-year colleges and universities. Hartnell College is recognized for its innovative public and private partnerships that support world-class education for STEM, career technical education, fine and performing arts, humanities/social sciences, nursing/healthcare, and athletics. We are proud to be the winners of the 2015 Innovation Award for CSin3 – a Computer Science bachelor’s degree in three years . We are growing leaders through opportunity, engagement, and achievement. For more about Hartnell CCD, visit www.hartnell.edu .
###