Half of the undocumented college students in Utah attend Salt Lake Community College. Throughout their lives, they are taught to never draw attention to themselves, not to do anything that could reveal they are not U.S. citizens. We chose to tell their story through their words, and from their perspectives. We added digital and video platforms, as well as troves of data that reveal demographics on ethnicity and origins, information about DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), as well as relevant and pertinent facts about these Dreamers. In addition, this feature includes expert insights on their unique challenges and possible solutions.
From the Judges
The staff at Salt Lake Community College Magazine understood the risks inherent in profiling undocumented students in print, but they did not back down, even under pressure from some “top administrators.” We applaud the magazine for following through with the project, because the end result is a well-executed, thoroughly researched and emotionally impactful package of stories. Kudos to SLCC for clearly demonstrating that higher education institutions can and should tell stories that some readers might consider controversial, provided they are curated with as much research, transparency, and heart as this series.
