Dr. Felecia Russell Keynote Address and Workshop

Dr. Felecia Russell will share her work to tackle immigration through story-telling, data, and myth busting, and the importance of understanding the diversity of the immigrant community. She will present a keynote talk and a workshop for faculty and staff about how to support undocumented students on campus.  

Dr. Felecia Russell is the Director of the Higher Ed Immigration Portal at the Presidents’ Alliance for Higher Education and Immigration. Her research agenda explores the experiences of non-Latinx undocumented students, more specifically Black undocumented students, and the intersections of race and immigration status. Her book, Amplifying Black Undocumented Student Voices in Higher Education which centers her own educational journey and a qualitative study exploring the experiences of 15 Black undocumented students was released by Routledge in 2024. She is also the host of Intersections with Dr. Russell, a bi-weekly podcast that tackles immigration through storytelling, data, and myth-busting. Felecia earned her undergraduate degree from Cal Lutheran, her master’s in Public Policy from Pepperdine University, and her doctorate from Temple University. 

The Fever Pitch of the Moment Requires a CounterBalance: Keynote Address

Tuesday, April 8, 2025
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
2025 Ikenberry SDRP
301 E. Gregory Dr., Champaign, IL

How can we counter misinformation and hear the stories of actual first-generation immigrant students? This keynote will center on Dr. Russell’s work to tackle immigration through story-telling, data, and myth busting. Dr. Russell will discuss her personal journey, her research agenda, and why it is so critical that we understand the diversity of the immigrant community. She will share her efforts to help us understand these stories, from the Higher Ed Immigration portal, to her new podcast, Intersections, as well as her groundbreaking book, Amplifying Black Undocumented Student Voices. A meet-and-greet book signing will follow the event.

Supporting Undocumented Students on College Campuses: Workshop for Staff & Faculty

Wednesday, April 9, 2025
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Asian American Cultural Center Lounge
1210 W. Nevada St., Urbana IL

To request disability-related accommodations for these events, please email diversity@illinois.edu. Early Requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.

Co-sponsored by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center, the Career Center, Career Services Council, Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Student Affairs Inclusive Excellence and Residential Inclusion and Leadership Education.