For Immediate Release: January 29, 2025
Contact: Michael Earls at [email protected]
TheDream.US Announces Susan Collins as Chief of Staff and Government Affairs
Washington, DC – TheDream.US, the nation’s largest college and career success program for undocumented immigrant youth, today announced the hire of Susan Collins as the organization’s new Chief of Staff and Government Affairs. Collins, who previously served as Senior Director of Legislative Affairs for UnidosUS and as Chief of Staff to U.S. Representative Luis V. Gutiérrez, will serve as a strategic advisor and policy advocate to help drive the organization’s mission forward.
Susan Collins, newly hired Chief of Staff and Government Affairs at TheDream.US, said: “I am honored to join TheDream.US and work alongside Gaby Pacheco and this incredible team—some of the fiercest champions for fairness in higher education. As the daughter of an immigrant and the first in my family to graduate from college, I experienced firsthand the transformative power of education. I want for Dreamers what I want for my own daughter: the opportunity to graduate from college and achieve their dreams—all while strengthening and enriching the country we share. I look forward to contributing my experience in management and policy leadership to advance TheDream.US mission at this critical moment.”
Gaby Pacheco, President and CEO of TheDream.US, said: “We are thrilled to add Susan’s smarts, experience, and deep commitment to our mission to TheDream.US team. This is a critical moment for Dreamers’ future opportunities to study and succeed in this nation. Susan’s leadership and track record will be invaluable as we work together to maintain and build on policies that strengthen the future for our Scholars, Alumni, and the broader nation.”
Read the full bio for Susan Collins online here
Reminder: TheDream.US Scholarship Application Round is Now Open
TheDream.US current scholarship application round is now open, with the application deadline for Opportunity Scholars in “locked out” states closing shortly – on January 31, 2025 – and the National Scholarship deadline arriving at the end of February. TheDream.US has expanded eligibility criteria to support the higher education dreams of more Dreamers with and without DACA or TPS. Amid rising uncertainty around immigration policies and legal protections for Dreamers, TheDream.US commitment to empowering undocumented students through its annual scholarship application round is steadfast. Applications are open to immigrant students who came to the U.S. before the age of 16 and before Nov. 1, 2019. All undocumented students who meet the eligibility criteria are welcome to apply.
Learn more at https://www.thedream.us/scholarships/ .
About TheDream.US
TheDream.US is the nation’s largest college and career success program for undocumented immigrant students, having provided more than 11,000 college scholarships to Dreamers attending close to 80 partner colleges in 20 states and Washington, DC. We believe everyone, regardless of where they were born, should have equitable access to a college education, a meaningful career, and opportunities to contribute to the communities they call home. For more information on TheDream.US, visit www.thedream.us.
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