In this episode we talk about policies of possibility and the ways HSIs along the Mexico-U.S. border support transborder students. We feature Dr. Mark Sanchez, CEO/President of Southwestern College in California, who advocated for California's Assembly Bill 91, a five-year pilot program starting in 2024 that provides low-income Mexicans living within 45 miles of the Mexico-California border with non-resident fee exemptions to attend college while paying in-state tuition. Dr. Sanchez shares his personal journey as a first-generation college student who attended Southwestern College and returned 35 years later as its president. Moreover, he emphasizes the college's location just 7 miles from the Mexico-U.S. border and highlights the binational economy between Tijuana and San Diego County, which generates about $250 billion annually. We discuss several key aspects for serving transborder students, including the creation of basic support facilities like lounges, microwaves, refrigerators, and shower access for students who may arrive hours early due to unpredictable border crossing times. The episode addresses the current political climate, with Dr. Sanchez explaining how the college supports immigrant, undocumented, and transborder students throughout these challenging times.

Mark Sanchez (he, him, el)

Ceo/President, Southwestern College

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mark-sanchez-57820232a

Instagram: @swc_president25

Website: https://www.swccd.edu/about-swc/leadership/office-of-the-superintendent-president/index.aspx

APA Citation:

Garcia, G. A. (Host). (2026, April 12). Beyond Fronteras: How HSIs Support Transborder Students. (No.707) [Audio podcast episode]. In ¿Qué pasa, HSIs?.