Attend the New Student USS Orientation
Attending the New Student USS orientation will provide you with information about UCSB, USS and various campus resources. The orientation is a great space to ask questions about your transition to campus. Students who attend the orientation engage in community with other students, faculty and staff.
Meet with at least one of the USS Staff (USS Director, USS Program Assistant, USS Graduate Intern)
Connect one-on-one with a staff member and learn more about USS and UCSB. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and establish a relationship with the department.
Apply for USS Programs
We offer a variety of programs to support your academic, professional, and personal development at UCSB and after.
Meet with an EOP counselor/advisor
Get help figuring out academic courses curated for you to thrive at UCSB. EOP counselors/advisors can help you find courses to fulfill your major and prerequisite requirements. They provide academic and holistic advice.
Meet with attorney Amber Spring for a General Immigration Screening
It is always a good idea to speak with an immigration attorney, even if you have already talked to one in the past. Schedule an appointment with Amber Spring for yourself or immediate family members. The services are free. Some of the services UC Legal Immigrant Services provide include DACA renewals, Special Juvenile Immigrant Status cases, U-Visas, and TPS.
Meet with a Career Services counselor
You can make an appointment with Career Services through your handshake account. Career Services offer a range of resources and services which include but are not limited to resume and cover letter support, getting a job on campus, exploring future careers, getting ready for job interviews, exploring grad school options, access to graduate entrance exams such as the GRE and LSAT.
Attend a Cultivating Resilience Session
Cultivating Resilience is a group space focused on empowerment and collective strength to process the complexities of being undocumented. The group is facilitated by Dr. Jessica Adams, Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) counselor.
Find your Community & Get Involved
There are over 600 student groups on campus, if you do not find what you are looking for, you can create your own student group using the guidelines provided by Student Engagement & Leadership (SEAL).
Search Shoreline for student groups and organizations on campus to join
Check out the Monarch Lounge
The Monarch Lounge serves is a safe space come for undocumented students to create community. This space has become a hub for students to share knowledge over the years with similarly identified students. The space is intended to be inclusive of undocumented and immigrant students, refugees, mixed status students, and other students systematically impacted by immigration laws and policies. The space includes a fridge, a microwave, snacks, white boards, couches, and study spaces.
Stay Connected with USS!
Check your Email for USS Updates. As an UndocuScholar your UCSB email will automatically be registered to the USS newsletter. Be on the lookout for emails from USS containing information on upcoming events, resources, scholarships, programs, and more.
Make sure to participate in USS events and activities!