2023-24 Book Selection
Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen
Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas, called “the most famous undocumented immigrant in America,” tackles one of the defining issues of our time in this explosive and deeply personal call to arms.
Vargas, Jose Antonio. Dear America : Notes of an Undocumented Citizen. HarperCollins Publishers, 2018.
Shared Reading Events
"Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen": A Candid Conversation on Immigration
The spring event, "Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen": A Candid Conversation on Immigration, took place on April 12 in the Parkway Ballroom of the Plemmons Student Union. Rather than a traditional book discussion, the book served as inspiration for sharing personal experiences as an immigrant to the United States, from the viewpoint of our panelists. Attendees listened in on a real-time conversation about immigration, by immigrants and gained insights to inform their own understanding on this important issue.
Moderator: Carrie Afanador, Site Director & Department of Justice Accredited Representative, Immigrant Connection of the High Country
Panelists:
- Yolanda Adams, Assistant Director for Student Leadership & Family Outreach, Appalachian State University
- Sonia de Dardon, Former Executive Director of Social Benefits, Guatemalan Institute of Social Security
- Rubi Escobar Jaramillo, Farmworker Health Coordinator, High Country Community Health
- Edgar Straube, Staff Chaplain, Samaritain's Purse
View photos of the event.
Courageous Conversations Workplace Diversity Beyond Borders: Immigrant Narratives
The fall Courageous Conversations Workplace Diversity Beyond Borders: Immigrant Narratives panel discussion centered on immigrant experiences in the workplace. The panel discussion topic was inspired by this year's Walker College of Business Shared Reading Initiative selection, "Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen" by Jose Antonio Vargas.
Moderator: Sarah Donovan, Founding Member, Immigrant Mountaineers Movement; Regional Director of Social Services, Southeast for Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
Panelists:
Yolanda Adams, Family Resource Coordinator, Watauga County Schools, from Colombia
Marco Fonseca, Director of Coaching for the High Country Soccer Association, from Honduras
- Andres Tellez, Professor of Applied Design, Appalachian State University, from Colombia
View photos of the event.
Book Access
Walker College of Business faculty, staff and students can sign up to receive a free copy of the book. Sign up by February 10.
Register for Attendance Report
The Shared Reading Initiative
The Walker College of Business Shared Reading Initiative brings students, faculty and staff together to read and discuss a work on social and/or environmental justice. Ideally, the selected work will broaden student perspectives, open up important conversations and highlight ways business can help achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The shared reading book is selected by the office of Global and Civic Engagement, with input from the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Liaisons and/or the Sustainability Steering Committee.
Structure
Faculty and staff read the selected book over the summer. Faculty are encouraged to incorporate the book into their courses for the following academic year. The following academic year, business students read the selected book and attend a book discussion, either as part of their academic courses or as an optional personal enrichment activity.
Questions?
Interested but want to find out more? Contact Meredith Church Pipes at churchmm@appstate.edu.