Best-selling author and former White House Official Alejandra Campoverdi to deliver Northeastern Illinois University Commencement Address

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May 03, 2024, 06:17 ET

CHICAGO, May 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nationally recognized women's health advocate and former White House aide Alejandra Campoverdi will be Northeastern Illinois University's May 2024 Commencement speaker. Campoverdi is the bestselling author of "First Gen: A Memoir", which examines the emotional toll of social mobility on those she refers to as "first and onlys."

"NEIU is honored to welcome Alejandra Campoverdi as our May 2024 Commencement speaker," said Dr. Katrina E. Bell-Jordan, Interim President of Northeastern Illinois University. "A trailblazer and nationally recognized advocate for women's health, Ms. Campoverdi embodies the tenacity, and spirit of innovation and service we seek to instill in our graduates. Her remarkable journey, from her humble roots to the White House and on the forefront of health advocacy, is inspirational. We look forward to hearing her insights and wisdom as we celebrate the achievements of our graduates."

Campoverdi served in the Obama White House as the first White House Deputy Director of Hispanic Media. She produced and appeared in the groundbreaking PBS documentary "Inheritance: Women, BRCA, and Hereditary Cancer" and founded the Latinos & BRCA awareness initiative in partnership with the Basser Center for BRCA at the University of Pennsylvania's Abramson Cancer Center. Latinos & BRCA provides education and resources for the U.S. Latino community around BRCA-related cancers. She earned a Master's degree in Public Policy from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government and graduated cum laude from the Annenberg School for Communications and Journalism at the University of Southern California.

COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

WHEN: Friday, May 10, 2024, 2 p.m.
WHERE: Credit Union 1 Arena, 525 S. Racine Ave. in Chicago.
RSVP: Media are asked to RSVP by noon on Friday, May 3, if you plan to
attend or send a camera.

ABOUT NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

Northeastern Illinois University offers more than 40 undergraduate degree and certificate programs and more than 50 graduate degree, certificate, licensure and endorsement programs. The Main Campus is located on 67 acres in an attractive residential area on the Northwest Side of Chicago. The University has additional locations in the metropolitan area, including the Jacob H. Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies, El Centro and the University Center of Lake County.

SOURCE NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY