Oklahoma City Community College’s (OCCC) Office of Student Life presented its second Excel Series program of the fall semester Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. The featured topic was “DACA: What Now?†The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) executive order signed into law by President Obama in 2012 has undergone scrutiny under the new Trump administration. The law allows for children of undocumented residents who meet certain criteria to remain in the U.S. legally. Expiration of DACA program protections subjects these individuals to the possibility of deportation to a country they, in reality, may never have known.

The open discussion, moderated by OCCC Director of Student Engagement and Alumni Relations, Randy Cassimus, featured a panel of experts on the subject, including local private immigration attorney, Larry Davis, Catholic Charities legal expert, Janie Tapia, Dream Act Oklahoma representative, Serena Prammanasudh, OCCC Director of Recruitment and Admissions, Dr. Mary Ann Bodine Al-Sharif, and DACA program beneficiary, Yovana Medina. The panelists presented informative facts and brought to light the uncertainties of the current legal situation, which fostered dialogue about the realities facing many OCCC students and their families. Approximately one hundred students and staff attended the event held in the College Union.

OCCC enrolls more than 20,000 students annually. The college is currently the largest adult basic education provider in the state. OCCC offers a full range of associate degree programs that prepare students to transfer to baccalaureate institutions while other degree and certificate programs prepare students for immediate employment. At OCCC, students receive a quality education with small class sizes, dedicated professors and leadership opportunities. Students can choose from more than 60 major fields of study and participate in any of the 40+ clubs and organizations. For more information about OCCC, visit www.occc.edu.