GSCA Webinar - Counseling at the Intersections: Undocumented Status, Identity, and School Belonging

Undocumented students’ educational experiences are shaped by intersecting identities related to race, language, socioeconomic status, and family structure. This session supports school counselors in examining how these intersections influence students’ mental health, academic engagement, and access to postsecondary pathways. Participants will explore the complex ethical considerations involved in supporting undocumented and mixed-status students through real-world scenarios and effective collaboration with families and community partners. Emphasis is placed on relationship-building, student safety, and asset-based counseling practices.

Dr. Maritza Cha graduated from Garfield High School in East Los Angeles and became the first in her family to attend and graduate from college. Dr. Cha was a school counselor and completed her PhD at Claremont Graduate University in Education, Urban Leadership. Dr. Cha has presented about school counseling topics at the national, state and local level including NACAC and AERA. Dr. Cha co-authored book chapters named “Servant Leadership: School Counseling During the Pandemic” and "Student-Centered Advocates: A Holistic Approach on Supporting K-12 Undocumented Students." Recently, Dr. Cha contributed to the 6th edition of Fundamentals of College Admission Counseling (NACAC).  Dr. Cha, in 2024, won the Outstanding Dissertation Award from AERA Division E. Dr. Maritza Cha was a National School Counselor Fellow and part of the Professional School Counseling Emerging Scholars Fellow Program. Dr. Cha currently works as an Adjunct Professor.