The Collegian believes that journalism should do more than spotlight what’s broken. It should also search for what’s working. This year, our newsroom is proud to join the Solutions Journalism Student Media Challenge, partnering with the Solutions Journalism Network to bring meaningful, solutions-focused reporting to our campus.
In this issue we are launching “Beyond the Border,” a reporting project that explores how immigrant and undocumented students rebuild their lives, care for their mental health, and find belonging in a new country.
In January 2025, Delta College reaffirmed its commitment as a sanctuary campus. But what does “sanctuary” truly mean? Does it translate to safety, or is it just a phrase on paper? Through in-depth reporting and student voices, we’ll examine how those promises play out in an era of anti-immigrant rhetoric, policy shifts, and emotional uncertainty.
Our coverage will focus on solutions: the programs, people, and policies helping students heal and thrive. From mental health services and Dreamer-support programs to cultural reconnection and access to resources, we’ll highlight what’s working and where gaps remain.
Mental health is one of the most urgent issues on our campus. According to Delta’s 2023 Campus Climate Survey, nearly half of students expressed concern about their well-being, and many reported difficulty talking about it. Our goal is to bring those conversations into the open, especially for students whose immigration status often silences them.
“Beyond the Border” is about both reporting and listening to stories of fear and hope, of leaving and belonging. It’s about understanding that sanctuary isn’t just a place or a policy, but a promise, a collective effort to make every student feel seen, safe, and whole again.
With the mentorship, resources and training offered through the Solutions Journalism Student Media Challenge, we’re prepared to elevate our work, connect with our community, and contribute to how student newsrooms drive change.
How sanctuary status can protect students
Delta College’s sanctuary policy is aimed at reassuring students and protecting them on campus.
Dreamers center provide wraparound support
At Delta, staff say those barriers can affect whether students stay enrolled or continue on transfer pathways. The college opened the Dreamers Success Center in October 2022 as a centralized hub for legal, academic and personal support.
PROJECT COLLABORATORS
