A new program at Colorado State University aims to support students from migrant communities and their families.
The College Assistance Migrant Program, or CAMP, provides financial and community support to students entering college. CAMP is a cohort-based scholarship program for qualifying seasonal/temporary agricultural workers, including migrant farmworkers and their dependents. It is housed in the Academic Advancement Center, whose program takes an asset-based approach to supporting student success.
In a 2020 study conducted by the Migration Policy Institute, 28% of students enrolled in higher education nationally and 17% in Colorado were identified to be from immigrant families.
“When we accept a scholar into our program, we accept a whole family,” said Joel Orozco Almeida, the director of CAMP. “We have our recruitment materials translated in different languages because we wanted to make sure that parents and support people can read what CAMP is and why students should join.”
Almeida started his position last fall, and has worked to create a program that not only serves the mission set by the Department of Education, but also one that fosters a culture of support and inclusion.
Currently, CAMP has four full-time staff members and five student employees. They work to assist students and provide support in studying, as well as help with family connections and the general logistics of the program.
Apart from receiving financial aid and assistance, the program’s scholars also participate in group activities, monthly workshops, a first-year seminar class and study hours. All the staff at CAMP are dedicated to setting scholars up for success for the rest of their college journeys and beyond.
Eligibility for the program is decided based on high school graduation status, college credits already received, being FAFSA eligible and the applicant or applicant’s household members falling under one of three categories: participation in programs that support and assist migrant farmworkers such as the Migrant Education Program and National Farmworkers Jobs Programs such as Rocky Mountain SER , or working in seasonal or temporary agricultural-related jobs for at least 75 days within the last 24 months from when the student plans to begin classes at CSU.
Not all applicants are accepted due to federal eligibility guidelines. However, there are other support systems throughout CSU for students who may benefit from other programs: First Generation at CSU, other Academic Advancement Center programs and student organizations that aim to support students and families navigating their college journey.
“CAMP can serve as a model of practices toward student servingness, and maybe it can start being implemented at an institutional level,” Orozco Almeida said. “As CSU is getting closer to meeting the eligibility criteria to apply for Hispanic Serving Institution status, it’s important that we are prepared to serve a more ethnic and racially diverse student population.”
To apply to CAMP, schedule a visit to their office in room 28 in Morgan Library, or to find more information, visit the College Assistance Migrant Program website.
Meet the CAMP Staff
Joél Orozco Almeida (he/him/él), director
Orozco Almeida is originally from Yépomera, Chihuahua, Mexico, and moved to the United States when he was 15. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science from Metropolitan State University of Denver and a master’s in education administration in student affairs from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Currently, Orozco Almeida is a Ph.D. student in the higher educational leadership program at CSU. He has spent the past decade working in multiple roles, directly supporting historically disenfranchised student populations on college campuses, including students of color and immigrant communities. He enjoys trying different cultural foods, and his main hobbies include Latin dancing, playing pickleball, hiking and traveling.
Heather Gutekunst (she/her), administrative assistant
After graduating from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs with a B.A. in women’s and ethnic studies, Gutekunst knew she wanted to support minority communities in working toward equitable access to education.
Gutekunst recently completed her master’s in English from CSU. She taught freshman composition and contemporary global literature, encouraging her students to find their voices in the CSU community and beyond. She is dedicated to lifelong learning and hopes to support CAMP students in any way she can. Throughout all of her studies and projects, storytelling is always at the core of her work in advocacy and social justice.
Outside of CAMP, Gutekunst enjoys reading, video games, hiking, writing, playing board games, or spending time with her cat, Penny.
Marcey Flores Jaco (she/her/ella), outreach and enrollment coordinator
Flores Jaco was born in San Salvador, El Salvador, but grew up in Brighton, Colorado. As a first-generation DREAMer student she knows how challenging it can be to navigate higher education. During her college journey, she found her communidad and her passion for helping underrepresented communities in higher education.
Flores Jaco graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a bachelor’s in human services in 2019 and earned her master’s in Higher Education and Student Affairs Leadership in 2021.
In her free time, she loves to travel, read and spend time with her partner and two dogs.
Jasmine Rangel (she/her/ella), scholar contact
Rangel has her associate’s degree from Aims Community College, and is a CAMP alum. After Aims she went to Metropolitan State University in Denver and earned a bachelor’s in English with a concentration in secondary education. CAMP helped her grow as a person and navigate higher education as a first generation student. She hopes to give the same support to CAMP students as they find their path in higher education.
Rangel is originally from Minnesota but grew up all over Colorado. In her spare time, she loves traveling, trying new food places, beaches, lakes and swimming pools.
