DATE: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday, March 24, 2011.

EVENT: “Challenges and Opportunities: Conversations about Leadership, Immigration and Higher Education.” Immigrant and undocumented students’ access to higher education will be the topic of a full-day panel discussion with academics and experts from across the country. The event is organized by the National Forum on Higher Education for the Public Good. Members of the media are invited to attend.

PLACE: Michigan League, 911 N. University Ave., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

John Burkhardt, director of the National Forum on Higher Education, says the meeting is part of a 2007-launched effort in cooperation with a wide range of partners across the country to focus attention on educational opportunities for immigrant and undocumented students.

Participants include: Tomas Arciniega, president emeritus California State University at Bakersfield; Suellyn Scarnecchia, vice president and general counsel, University of Michigan; Jaime Chahin, dean of the College of Applied Arts, Texas State University-San Marcos; Magdalena Martinez, assistant vice chancellor for academic and student affairs, Nevada System of Higher Education; Damon Williams, vice provost and chief development officer, University of Wisconsin; Maria Nevai, program manager, Talent Enhancement, Michigan Economic Development Corporation; Lester Monts, senior vice provost for academic affairs University of Michigan; Donica Thomas Varner, assistant general counsel, University of Michigan; Nicholas De Grazia, board member, St. Claire County Community College, former vice president of finance, University of Detroit.

The discussion will have a Case studies format and will be centered at the analysis of the cases at California State University at Fresno, Santa Ana College and Kennesaw State University.

CONTACTS: Vivianne Schnitzer, (734) 763-0368, [email protected] or Kimberly Reyes, (305) 804-5801, [email protected]

Related Links:

• Immigrant students and higher education (video)