Oglethorpe University is celebrating its continued partnership with TheDream.US, helping “Dreamers” to achieve their college and career goals.
TheDream.US is the nation’s largest college access and career success program for immigrant youth who came to the U.S. as children and attended K-12 schools, but are ineligible for federal financial aid. The program raises private funds and awards scholarships to help these students pay for their college education.
This fall, Oglethorpe welcomed 53 new TheDream.US Scholars, bringing the total number of Scholars on campus to approximately 130. To date, 25 Dream.US Scholars have graduated and become Oglethorpe alumni.
The newest Oglethorpe students are part of the largest-ever cohort of TheDream.US Scholars: 1,800+ new Scholars attending more than 80 institutions across the country. The vast majority — more than 80% — are the first in their family to attend college.
“Oglethorpe is a better place to learn and grow because of our Dream.US scholars,” said Interim President Kathryn McClymond. “We’re the only campus in Georgia partnering with Dream.US, and I hear every week from students and families how our commitment to providing access to educational opportunity is changing lives.”
As part of its commitment to the partnership, Oglethorpe has implemented additional programs to support the success of TheDream.US Scholars at Oglethorpe. The Internship Funding Program, a collaboration with TheDream.US, provides Scholars with experiential learning opportunities that help them prepare for careers while also earning income, regardless of work authorization.
Oglethorpe’s DREAM Fellowship Program provides support for non-employment, experiential learning opportunities that enhance students’ self-reflection and knowledge in support of their career development journey. Fellows choose a research topic, initiative, proposal, etc. and work with a faculty or staff member who supervise their efforts. A total of $15,000 in funding is allocated to each program.
“We are proud to partner with Oglethorpe University and our other Partner Colleges to support talented Dreamers’ pursuit of higher education and career success,” said Gaby Pacheco, director of advocacy, communications, and development at TheDream.US. “Despite many obstacles that have been put in their way, our Scholars continue to persevere and succeed, demonstrating in the process why expanding opportunities for Dreamers is so important for the nation.”
Find more information and data about the newest cohort of TheDream.US National and Opportunity Scholars at TheDream.US website.
