Undocufriendly : out of the shadows of the ivory tower

This study is an attempt to understand the experience of Washington State higher education professionals within their particular state and institutional policy landscape from a meso lens. This research aims to explore the effects of policies on education professionals' ability to support and assist undocumented students in public (Washington State University) and private (Whitman College) institutions in the state of Washington. In addition, this study also aims to seek strategies and resources these individuals and institutions use to further along change at the institutional level. This research focuses on the experience of educational professionals who directly offer support or service to and for undocumented students. Education professionals may or may not share the same views as the national sentiments and perspectives regarding legislation and undocumented students in American higher education. However, if assisting undocumented students falls under their responsibility or if they are approached by these students and they provide any support in any way because of their role or title; their experiences and perspectives will contribute to my study as well as the overall conversations of expanding access, success, and support to undocumented students in higher education. In sum, this thesis aims to gain an understanding from education professionals’ experiences who are at the ground- or street-level providing institutional support for undocumented students in higher education in the state of Washington.