Lana Oconnell
Freedom University is a modern-day freedom school in Atlanta, Georgia, that provides tuition-free college classes to undocumented youth who are unable to access higher education in Georgia due to the state's out-of-state tuition requirements. Founded in 2011, Freedom U offers undocumented students a path to higher education through rigorous college preparation classes, college and scholarship application assistance, and social movement leadership training. The school's participatory model encourages agency and peer learning, and its curriculum emphasizes dialogue, decision-making, and understanding personal immigrant experiences within the broader context of the civil rights movement and human rights struggles. In addition to academic support, Freedom University provides free therapy and legal services to its students, and works with counselors and admissions professionals to create safe and supportive environments for undocumented students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Freedom University is based in Atlanta, Georgia |
| History | Founded in 2011 by four University of Georgia professors |
| Courses | Tuition-free college preparation courses and college classes |
| Student Body | Undocumented students banned from equal access to public higher education in Georgia |
| Student Agency | Students participate in decisions about their learning trajectory and classes |
| Curriculum | Dialogue-based, participatory decision-making, and understanding personal immigrant experiences |
| Advocacy | Collaborates with civil rights leaders to educate students and help them perform civil disobedience actions |
| Training | Educator Training Program for K-12 and college counselors to support undocumented students |
| Therapy | Free group and individual therapy for students |
| Legal Support | Partners with attorneys to help students and their families navigate immigration laws and pays legal fees |
| Funding | Funded by individual donations, foundations, and grants |
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What You'll Learn
Free tuition and resources
Freedom University is an "underground university" that provides free tuition and resources to undocumented students who are banned from equal access to higher education in Georgia. The university's mission is to educate and empower these students and fulfill their human right to education.
The university offers tuition-free college preparation courses taught by university professors and experts in their fields. These courses cover a range of subjects, including English, math, science, and social studies. In addition to tuition-free courses, Freedom University also provides its students with free resources such as textbooks, laptops, and other school supplies. The university also helps students with college and scholarship applications, providing full legal representation and mental health resources.
Freedom University also offers Educator Trainings for high school counselors and college admissions professionals, where they share best practices for welcoming, supporting, and protecting undocumented students. They also offer Know Your Rights Trainings for schools, college campuses, workplaces, and faith communities, where they review constitutional rights, provide resources in multiple languages, and share ways to protect immigrants' safety during potential ICE raids.
The university's free tuition and resources have made a significant impact on the lives of undocumented students in Georgia. The university's graduating classes have had more than half of its graduates go on to college with full scholarships, and many have participated in advocacy work, particularly around improving access to higher education for undocumented students in the state.
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Therapy and legal support
Freedom University is a human rights organization and modern-day freedom school for undocumented students who are banned from equal access to higher education in Georgia. It provides tuition-free college preparation classes, college and scholarship application assistance, and social movement leadership development for its students.
Freedom University offers mental health and legal support for its undocumented students. The university recognizes the stress and mental health challenges that college students face, and provides mental health resources and therapy to help students build resilience and cope with challenging times. Therapy offers a safe space for students to express themselves freely and receive emotional support. It helps them develop valuable skills to better focus, study, and manage their time, which can positively impact their academic performance.
The university also provides full legal representation for its students. It actively works with students, educators, supporters, policymakers, and other social justice stakeholders to advance the rights of undocumented youth in Georgia and across the country. This includes campaigns to secure fair admissions and sanctuary policies at private universities and legal action at the federal level to remedy violations of undocumented students' right to equal protection under the law.
Freedom University also has an Educator Training Program that works with K-12 and college counselors to deepen their knowledge of immigration history and education policy. This program aims to improve cultural competency in working with immigrant youth populations to better welcome, support, and protect undocumented students.
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Educator training
The Educator Training Program at Freedom University is designed for K-12 and college counselors, as well as college admissions professionals. The program focuses on enhancing educators' knowledge of immigration history and education policies, specifically those related to undocumented students. By understanding the broader context of civil rights and the historical struggle for human rights, educators can better guide and support their undocumented students in their educational journey.
One of the key objectives of the training is to improve cultural competency when working with immigrant youth populations. This includes sensitizing educators to the unique challenges and experiences faced by undocumented students, helping them create a welcoming and supportive environment, and ensuring that they can effectively support their students academically, emotionally, and legally. The training equips educators with the knowledge and skills to navigate complex immigration laws and protect the rights of their undocumented students.
Additionally, Freedom University offers "Know Your Rights" trainings, which are presented as community initiatives. These trainings are designed to empower individuals and communities by educating them about their constitutional rights. They are offered to schools, college campuses, workplaces, and faith communities, providing digital and printed resources in eight different languages. The "Know Your Rights" trainings are especially relevant for immigrant communities, as they share best practices to ensure safety during potential ICE raids and other similar situations.
Through these comprehensive educator training initiatives, Freedom University ensures that its faculty and staff are well-equipped to support the unique needs of their undocumented students. By empowering educators with knowledge and cultural competency, the university creates a supportive environment that fosters the academic success and overall well-being of its undocumented student population.
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Know Your Rights training
Freedom University, based in Atlanta, Georgia, is an award-winning human rights organization that provides rigorous college preparation classes, tuition-free college classes, and Know Your Rights training for undocumented students who are banned from accessing higher education in Georgia.
The Know Your Rights training is a vital part of Freedom University's offering, empowering students with knowledge and resources to protect themselves and their community members during potential ICE raids in various settings, including homes, schools, hospitals, and places of worship. The training is offered on a sliding scale fee structure to ensure accessibility for all.
The training covers a comprehensive range of topics to ensure that participants fully understand their constitutional rights. It is designed to be inclusive, with digital and printed resources available in eight different languages. By participating in this training, individuals can gain valuable insights into their rights and learn practical strategies to safeguard their safety and well-being.
The Know Your Rights training also extends beyond the immediate student community. Freedom University offers this training to schools, college campuses, workplaces, and faith communities, fostering a broader culture of awareness and support for immigrant rights. This aspect of the training contributes to a more welcoming and inclusive environment for immigrants across different spheres of society.
In addition to the Know Your Rights training, Freedom University provides a holistic range of services, including free group and individual therapy, legal support, and advocacy for fair admissions and financial aid policies. The university's participatory model encourages student agency and peer learning, disrupting traditional power dynamics in the classroom.
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Advocacy and activism
Freedom University, founded in 2011, is a modern-day freedom school based in Atlanta, Georgia. It is an award-winning human rights organization that provides tuition-free college preparation classes, college and scholarship application assistance, and social movement leadership training for undocumented students. These students have been banned from accessing higher education in Georgia due to the state's out-of-state tuition requirements and policies banning undocumented students from public universities.
Freedom University engages in advocacy and activism to advance the human right to education. They publish policy reports, testify before law-making bodies at the state and federal levels, and file human rights complaints at the international level. They work with students and educator allies to advocate for fair admissions and financial aid policies at public and private institutions of higher education.
The university's Educator Training Program equips K-12 and college counsellors with the knowledge and skills to welcome, support, and protect undocumented students. They deepen their understanding of immigration history, education policy, and cultural competency in working with immigrant youth populations. Additionally, Freedom University offers "Know Your Rights" trainings for schools, colleges, workplaces, and faith communities, where they provide resources and information on constitutional rights to protect immigrants.
The university also leads policy change initiatives and organizes direct actions to empower their community and hold decision-makers accountable. They collaborate with civil rights leaders to educate students and facilitate their participation in civil disobedience actions, integrating discussions of slavery, apartheid, and labour exploitation into their curriculum. Students often wear painted monarch butterfly wings during public events to symbolize the naturalness of migration and their experience as immigrants.
The public activism of Freedom University students, faculty, and allies has led to commitments from universities to admit and provide scholarships for undocumented students. Their advocacy work challenges policies that prohibit access to higher education for undocumented students in Georgia, making it one of the most restrictive states regarding tuition and admissions policies at public colleges and universities.
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Frequently asked questions
Freedom University (Freedom U or FU) is a modern-day freedom school in Atlanta, Georgia, that provides tuition-free college classes to undocumented youth who are unable to access higher education in Georgia.
Freedom University helps students by providing free tuition, books, and supplies to undocumented students. They also offer free group and individual therapy, and partner with attorneys to help students and their families navigate complex immigration laws.
Freedom University's curriculum emphasizes dialogue, participatory decision-making, and understanding personal immigrant experiences within the broader context of the civil rights movement and history of human rights struggles.
Freedom University was founded to provide an alternative path to higher education for undocumented students banned from equal access to public higher education in Georgia.
Freedom University is a non-profit organization that relies on donations from individuals, foundations, and grantmakers.
