About Us
Desiree Hernandez, M.A.
Founder and Principal Consultant
Desiree Hernandez is the founder and principal consultant of Colibrí Consulting Collective LLC. As a strategist, educator, and practitioner, she brings over a decade of experience designing and leading transformative equity initiatives across California Community Colleges. Her expertise lies in building undocu-serving institutions where undocumented students are welcomed and fully supported in their academic, professional, and personal journeys.
She has developed and scaled Dream Resource Centers, LGBTQ+ and identity-affirming Centers, launching these efforts from the ground up and navigating limited resources to deliver high-impact results. Desiree’s leadership goes beyond creating spaces. She has established sustainable fellowship programs for undocumented students through the California Dreamer Service Incentive Grant, led a fully funded Advance Parole trip to Guatemala, supported students in launching businesses through partnerships with the Small Business Development Center, and helped individuals access legal pathways to permanent residency.
Known for her ability to bridge strategy with relationship building, Desiree co-develops solutions alongside students, faculty, and staff to ensure every initiative is informed by student needs and embedded in institutional practice. As Tri-chair of the Student Success Committee at Pasadena City College, she leads cross-campus efforts to improve student retention, engagement, and completion. She regularly trains professionals across departments in trauma-informed, legally informed advising practices for students without work authorization.
Desiree launched Colibrí Consulting Collective to help institutions identify structural gaps, design student-centered solutions, and embed undocu-competence into the fabric of their campus culture, ensuring long-term equity-driven transformation.
Colibrí Consulting Collective, LLC is a mission-driven consulting firm dedicated to transforming educational institutions into truly undocu-serving spaces. We partner with colleges, universities, and educational organizations to identify systemic gaps, co-create solutions, and implement sustainable practices that support undocumented students with dignity, care, and intention.
Our work centers on building institutional capacity, not just programs. From streamlining AB 540 and financial aid processes to creating robust fellowship opportunities and integrating legal-informed support systems, we offer strategic guidance that aligns with the unique needs of each campus community.
Through deep collaboration, we help institutions move beyond symbolic support to embed undocumented student success into the fabric of their operations. Whether launching a new Dream Resource Center, strengthening student onboarding and retention strategies, or building career pathways for students without work authorization, our approach is grounded in partnership, innovation, and long-term impact.
At Colibrí, we believe that serving undocumented students is not the job of one department—it is a shared institutional responsibility. We work alongside stakeholders at all levels to create campuses where undocumented students can thrive.
Our Mission and Values
At Colibrí Consulting Collective, our mission is to partner with colleges and universities to build sustainable, equity-centered systems that uplift and protect undocumented students. Through collaboration, capacity-building, and strategic guidance, we help institutions move from intent to action, transforming policies, programs, and campus culture to create truly undocu-serving environments.
1. Community-Centered Leadership
We believe that the most effective solutions are built from the knowledge, experiences, and needs of the community. We prioritize elevating voices and empowering those we serve.
2. Collaboration for Change
We work alongside our partners, not just for them, to co-create lasting, impactful solutions that are tailored to the unique needs of each institution and its undocumented students.
3. Purposeful Strategy
We go beyond surface-level solutions. Our strategies are informed by research, data, and the lived experiences of students to ensure meaningful and lasting change.
4. Sustainability & Lasting Impact
We design solutions that are built to last, ensuring that systemic changes are institutionalized and continue to benefit undocumented students for years to come.
5. Transformative Commitment
We are committed to not just meeting the bare minimum but going above and beyond to create environments where undocumented students thrive. Our work is grounded in making meaningful, transformative change.
