CALSA's Summer Institute 2026

This session highlights a powerful student-centered approach to advancing awareness of educational rights through youth leadership and advocacy. Led by Fredy Ruiz, Immigrant Relations Coordinator, this initiative equips students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to understand their rights and educate their peers—particularly in the context of changing immigration policies and their impact on school communities. Grounded in resources such as Legal Protections for Immigrant Students , students engage in structured learning experiences that build their understanding of key laws, protections, and school responsibilities.
Through this model, students are not only recipients of information but become leaders and advocates on their campuses. Participants will learn how students are trained to develop and deliver presentations on educational rights, using accessible language and peer-to-peer strategies that increase engagement and trust. The session will also highlight how students design and implement advocacy projects tailored to their school communities—ranging from awareness campaigns and resource guides to student-led workshops and safe space initiatives.
This work centers student voice, agency, and culturally responsive leadership, while also strengthening school climate and fostering a sense of belonging. By empowering students to lead this work, schools create sustainable systems of peer education and advocacy that extend beyond traditional adult-led approaches.
Attendees will leave with practical tools and replicable strategies to implement student empowerment models that build knowledge, leadership, and advocacy capacity among students, particularly those from immigrant and mixed-status families.