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Dr. Norma Salcedo’s passion for supporting undocumented students stems from being the eldest daughter in a mixed-status home. She was the first in her family to graduate high school and pursue higher education. She received her undergraduate degree in Social Sciences at California State University, San Bernardino. Upon graduation, she pursued a graduate degree at the University of Kansas in Higher Education Administration to support other first-generation college students like herself. Years later, Dr. Norma earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership at San Francisco State University. Dr. Norma’s expertise in fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for undocumented students has transcended geographical boundaries as she has worked at various institutions across the U.S.

As the Director of the Dream Success Center (DSC) at California State University, Long Beach, Dr. Norma provides leadership, direction, and oversight of the services offered at the DSC. Her passion for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion has led to the development of innovative programs at ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú that empower students from diverse backgrounds to thrive academically and personally regardless of immigration status. As someone who grew up in Long Beach, CA, it brings Dr. Norma joy to be able to do this important work in the city that helped shape her into the leader she is today.

Erick Peraza is a DACA-mented first-generation, bilingual, Latinx educator who is passionate about supporting students from diverse backgrounds to navigate higher education. Erick started his higher education studies at Pasadena City College where he received his Associate in Arts in Humanities and transferred to attain his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Studies at San Francisco State University. He went on to attain his Master of Arts degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of San Francisco. During his undergrad Erick was heavily involved in the SFSU community and served as Vice President of Improving Dreams Equity Access and Success (IDEAS), volunteering at the Dream Resource Center, and was part of the speech and debate team. Before joining CSU Long Beach, he advised undergraduate students in the College of Science at Cal Poly Pomona. Erick enjoys nature walks, watching all the streaming services, and spending time with loved ones.

Natalie Garcia is the Admin and Student Support Coordinator at the Dream Success Center, where she brings her passion for advocating for underrepresented students to help them navigate their educational journeys. As a first-generation college student, Queer, and Chicana, Natalie’s own experiences in higher education have deeply shaped her commitment to supporting diverse student populations. Her journey in higher education began through involvement in college prep programs, student clubs, and as a peer mentor, where she found a strong sense of purpose in supporting college students.

Natalie earned her Bachelor of Science in Sociology with a concentration in Social Justice and a minor in Spanish from the University of La Verne. Motivated to continue her studies and make a broader impact in higher education, she pursued a Master of Science in Higher Education. Throughout her graduate studies, Natalie worked at the Dream Program at Mt. San Antonio College, where she had the opportunity of directly supporting undocumented students and became further dedicated to advocating for this community.

In her personal time, Natalie enjoys coloring, exploring new coffee shops, and collecting pins and stickers. 

The vision of the DSC is to foster a friendly and inclusive campus community dedicated to students’ educational achievement and personal success regardless of immigration status.

• Commitment to Diversity
• Cultivation of Community
• Promotion of Health and Mental Wellness
• Dedication to Outreach and Education