Partners in Change Series
The Diversity Action Committee would invite you to join us for the OkACTE Partners in Change Lecture Series.
Mark your calendars now! Rise early and learn with us! All events are scheduled from 7:30 am - 9:00 am at no cost. Registration is required. Zoom link will be given to all registered attendees prior to the event.
February 25: Undocumented Series: Part I - Undocumented Students
Akash Patel, Associate, Hogan Lovells US LLP
*Registration is required to attend. Registration ends at noon on February 24, 2021.
Undocumented students face fear of safety, not just for themselves, but their entire family. In the Undocumented Series: Part I we will focus on the story of a CareerTech graduate, Akash Patel. As the founder of Aspiring Americans, he will uncover strategies that he shares with students that maximize educational opportunities regardless of citizenship status.
Meet the Speaker: Akash Patel
Akash Patel
Akash was less than two years old when he arrived in America, but was not afforded citizenship until the age of 23. Protracted wait times meant that Akash's family lived as undocumented immigrants for 16 years until they could adjust their status. But Akash's inspiration has always been the struggle and triumph of his sister, Nisha, who aged out of her petition to receive her green card, yet went on to pursue a PhD in microbiology at the University of Oklahoma (OU).
As a result, Akash founded Aspiring Americans in Oklahoma City as part of his honors research project at OU to assist other undocumented students in Oklahoma, which has raised over $200,000 in grants, scholarships, and in-kind resources. Aspiring Americans also provides training and workshops about maximizing all educational opportunities for students in Oklahoma regardless of citizenship status.
For a complete biography about Akash Patel, please select the link here.
Find out more about Aspiring Americans here.