Someone Like Me: My (Underground) Journey for the American Dream

On the surface CNBC newscaster Julissa Arce’s story reads like a how-to manual for achieving the American dream as she worked tirelessly at school, achieved academic excellence, and landed a coveted job on Wall Street. Julissa immigrated to America from Mexico at the age of 11 and later made national and international headlines when she revealed that she had achieved success at Goldman Sachs while undocumented. Today Arce is a political commentator, and the best-selling author of My (Underground) American Dream, and the young adult novel Someone Like Me. Join us when Arce will share her incredible and inspiring true story, and examine the plight of the millions of other undocumented Americans living in the U.S..

What are the physical, financial, and emotional costs of the stunning secret that she, like many other high-achieving, successful individuals in the United States, had been forced to keep not only from her bosses, but even from their closest friends. Arce’s story provides a deep look into the little-understood world of a new generation of undocumented immigrants in the United States today–kids who live next door, sit next to you in class, or may even be one of your best friends. Here is a story that shows us anything is possible.

Arce was named one of People en Español’s 25 Most Powerful Woman of 2017. She is a leading voice in the fight for social justice, immigration rights and education equality. My (Underground) American Dream is currently being developed as a television series at FOX with producer and actor America Ferrera.

Arce will speak to Glenbard Staff as part of their October Institute Day program.

Continuing professional development units are available.

Additional support for this program comes from the League of Women Voters.