Grads To Be Program

Who is Eligible for Grads To Be Program Services?

We welcome all NOCE students, faculty, staff, and community members, regardless of their status, to participate in services. For additional information, can contact us at grads2b@noce.edu.

Our Mission:

The Grads to Be Program is focused on supporting Undocumented, AB540, and DACA students by providing resources and services geared towards enhancing and supporting their academic journey and personal well-being. The program fosters a supportive and inclusive campus community, which is essential to the growth of all students, regardless of their status. 

Who We Are

The Grads To Be Program has centers established at all three North Orange County Community College District schools: Cypress College, Fullerton College, and North Orange Continuing Education (NOCE).

Grads To Be Background

The Grads To Be Program is provided to the community through a private grant with Immigrants Rising. In 2018, a catalyst fund grant proposal through Immigrants Rising was submitted at NOCCCD by a team of staff members from Cypress College, Fullerton College, and NOCE.

This multi-million-dollar, three-year grant initiative was established to expand support for undocumented students and their families across the state’s three-tier public higher education systems: California Community Colleges, California State University, and the University of California.

The district proposal, awarded in 2019, aimed to create programs geared to support undocumented students at all three institutions and the North Orange County community. Key programs developed included tailored services that include the Undocumented Student Week of Action, legal aid, mentorship, academic advising, mental health advising, and more.

Legal Aid Clinics

Thanks to NOCE’s partnership with the US Immigration Law Group, we will offer students free 30-minute legal clinic appointments this academic year. Students will meet with the lawyers remotely (by phone). In addition to the US Immigration Law Group, students can access CHIRLA legal services.

30-minute phone appointments are available for NOCE students.

Appointments will be held on the second and fourth Tuesday and Thursday of each month. To book an appointment, contact: Monica Revelo-Torres at (714) 808-4685 or mtorres@noce.edu.

If you want to learn more about the services or request an appointment, contact us today at grads2b@noce.edu.  

US Immigration Law Group Appointment Dates:

30-minute consultation appointments are available

NOCE Student Club

NOCE United Student Club: The Grads To Be Program sponsors and supports the student club, NOCE United. Grads To Be provides a welcoming space so the club can work together to bring needed information and resources for students to succeed at NOCE or in life.

Join the Grads to Be Student Club, NOCE United! As a club, they will: 

• Empower students, regardless of their citizenship, to follow their academic goals and
  believe that they are important.
• Support each other by sharing information and resources at NOCE and the community that can assist in our goal to become self-sufficient.
• When resources are not available, we shall unite and advocate for ourselves.

For more information on the NOCE United Club, contact:

Marcela Mendoza
Grads to Be Counselor 
mmendoza@noce.edu