Quacyya Cuaresma hired as Western's first Undocumented Student Retention Specialist

The Office of Multicultural Student Services has hired Quacyya Cuaresma (she/her) as its inaugural Undocumented Student Retention Specialist. 

In her role, Cuaresma will lead the Blue Resource Center (BRC) within the Office of Multicultural Student Services and provide leadership, support, education, resources, and advocacy to advance the well-being and success of undocumented students, DACA recipients, students from mixed status families, and other members of the WWU community. 

She will contribute shared leadership of the Undocumented Student Support Network, provide support to student clubs including the Blue Group, and lead program facilitation for the Undocumented Student Action Series, UndocuMonth, UndocuGraduation, and UndocuAlly trainings. Cuaresma said she hopes to empower allies across campus and the community through advocacy, education, and allyship trainings. 

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Quacyya to the team,” said Amy Salinas Westmoreland, director of Multicultural Student Services. “Her commitment to advocacy and social justice ground her practice and are incredibly important as we build support for and celebrate our undocumented community.” 

Cuaresma was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska and began her journey in higher education at the University of Alaska Anchorage where she studied Health Sciences, worked at Multicultural Student Services, and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Public Health. 

She has a strong passion for the intersection of community wellness and social justice. Her academic and professional experiences include health education, social determinants of health, holistic student development, relationship-driven equity building, domestic and systemic violence prevention, and intentional care for students with marginalized identities in pursuit of collective liberation. 

"Many trusted friends and colleagues from Alaska have shared wonderful things about WWU and the vibrant campus community here. After feeling inspired to visit Bellingham a year ago, I’m grateful to now be working on Coast Salish land and leading efforts at the Blue Resource Center," Cuaresma said. "I'm excited to launch the Undocumented Student Action Series and connect with strong advocates across the institution. It’s been especially rewarding to work closely with the Blue Group, who have been advocating for and with undocumented students since 2013."

Outside of work and academics, Quacyya’s rejuvenating practices include being outside, rock climbing, and writing poetry. Feel free to connect with Quacyya at the Blue Resource Center located in Viking Union 720 or email her at cuaresq@wwu.edu. 

There are plenty of ways to stay connected with the Blue Resource Center. Follow us on Instagram (@wwubrc), visit our website https://mss.wwu.edu/brc, or learn more about our programs and events on The Centers website at https://thecenters.wwu.edu/eventsupdates. 

Also, mark your calendars for the following events for Undocumented Student Action Series this fall: 

• UndocuAlly Training for Student Allies -- Wednesday, Oct. 16, from 2–3:30 p.m. in VU 735 or Zoom (Sign up: tinyurl.com/UndocuWWU2024) 
• Allyship in Action: Supporting Undocumented Students (For Staff and Faculty) -- Thursday, Oct. 17, from noon to 1 p.m. in VU 735 or Zoom (Sign up: tinyurl.com/UndocuSupport24) 
• Day of Action and Resistance : Tuesday, Nov. 5 (Election Day), VU 735 and MCC Kitchen (7th floor of Viking Union) . Drop-in activities throughout the day 
  • Letter writing to your representatives and community organizations 
  • Affirming undocumented students on the butterfly wall 
  • Vision boarding: what world do we envision together? 
  • Blanket making for those experiencing houselessness 
• UndocuJoy Celebration: 10+ Years of Advocacy at WWU Thursday, Nov. 14, from 6-8 p.m. in VU 735 and MCC Kitchen (7th floor of Viking Union)