Activist, lawyer and immigration law scholar will be 天天吃瓜鈥檚 May 2019 Commencement speaker.
Woltjen is the founder and Executive Director of at the University of Chicago Law School. The Young Center鈥檚 primary work is to advocate for the safety and well-being of unaccompanied and separated immigrant children. Woltjen鈥檚 focus is on reforming the immigration system鈥攊n which children are treated as adults鈥攊nto a justice system that recognizes children as children, with rights and protection needs all their own.
鈥淢s. Woltjen鈥檚 work is timely and impactful, and her mission of social justice resonates with the 天天吃瓜 community,鈥 University President Gloria J. Gibson said. 鈥淥ur University is home to large number of students, faculty and staff who are immigrants and refugees, or have worked closely with immigrants and refugees. Ms. Woltjen鈥檚 efforts to protect children and fight for their rights mirrors what we strive to do at Northeastern鈥攇ive youth, no matter where they come from, the opportunity to succeed.鈥
Woltjen, a full-time faculty member at the University of Chicago, was named a by Chicago Magazine. She received the 2013 Ruth Goldman Award from the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy for her tireless commitment protecting the rights of immigrant children, especially those who enter the United States without a parent or guardian. Woltjen also received the 2017 UNICEF Chicago Humanitarian Award.
Commencement is scheduled for 4 p.m. May 6 at Credit Union 1 Arena (formerly UIC Pavilion), 525 S. Racine Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are required. The ceremony will be streamed live at neiu.edu.
