Speaker to Share Immigration Story On Campus

OMAHA – In celebration of Latino Heritage Month in September, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is inviting a prominent figure in the immigration movement to campus to speak to campus.

Julissa Arce, director of public affairs for Define America and a former undocumented immigrant from Mexico, will speak at the UNO Community Engagement Center (CEC) on Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Arce, who lived as an undocumented immigrant for nearly 15 years after entering the United States at age 11, made national headlines this year after telling the story of her public rise up the corporate ladder Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch all while under a shroud of personal secrecy.

After earning her citizenship in 2014, Arce left Goldman Sachs to join Define America, a nonprofit media organization that uses the power of storytelling to change the national dialogue on immigration and citizenship.

Arce joined Define America to assist young adults who are in similar situations and feel the need to lie in order to pursue the American Dream.

In addition to her work at Define America, Arce also co-founded the Ascend Educational Fund – a scholarship program for immigrant students regardless of their status.

There is no cost to attend the event, which is also open to the public. Visitor parking can be found in Lot D just north of the CEC and UNO bell tower.

Arce’s visit is sponsored by UNO’s Office of Multicultural Affairs.

For questions about Arce’s visit, please contact the UNO Office of Multicultural Affairs at 402.554.2248.

For media requests, please contact:

Sam Petto, UNO Media Relations Coordinator
unonews@unomaha.edu
402.554.2704

or

Charley Reed, UNO Associate Director of Media Relations
unonews@unomaha.edu
402.554.2129

Related Links

UNO Administrator Joins Board of Latino Nonprofit
OLLAS Receives Grant to Further Work on Latino Leadership
Latino/Latin American Studies Degree Concentration

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.

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