Brooke Criswell
Online Content Manager
The University of Nebraska at Omaha will kick off Latino Heritage Month on Sept. 16 with a special speaker.
Julissa Arce, director of public affairs for Define America, is a prominent figure in the immigration movement to speak at the Weitz Community Engagement Center from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Arce is a former undocumented Mexican immigrant who entered the United States at age 11 and climbed her way up the corporate latter. She recently made national headlines for discussing her career rise at Goldman Sach, an American investment banking firm, all while under a shroud of personal secrecy.
Arce earned her citizenship in 2014 after nearly 15 years of being an undocumented immigrant. She 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.
Her reasoning for joining Define America is to assist young adults who are in the same situation she once faced. Arce wants to help the people who live their lives in secrecy in order to pursue the American Dream.
Arce also co-founded the Ascend Educational Fund, a scholarship program for immigrant students regardless of their status to help make education more accessible.
The event is free to attend and is also open to the public. Visitor parking can be found in lot D which is north of the Community Engagement Center and UNO Bell Tower.
