Voices of Resilience: Immigrant Narratives Through an Interprofessional Len

Name: Voices of Resilience: Immigrant Narratives Through an Interprofessional Len
Start: 2026-03-24T17:30:00-04:00
End: 2026-03-24T19:30:00-04:00
Location: University of Saint Joseph

Schedule

Tue Mar 24 2026 at 05:30 pm to 07:30 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

University of Saint Joseph | West Hartford, CT

Immigration continues to be a topic of national significance with wide-ranging effects on families, communities, and institutions, including
About this Event

Voices of Resilience: Immigrant Narratives Through an Interprofessional Len (In-Person Event)

Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2026

Time: 5:30-7:30pm

Location: The Crystal Room, Mercy Hall, University of Saint Joseph

Cost: Free and open to the public

A light dinner and refreshments will be provided from 5:30-6pm. The panel will take place from 6-7pm, followed by 15 minutes of audience Q&A. Coffee and dessert from 7:15-7:30pm

Immigration continues to be a topic of national significance with wide-ranging effects on families, communities, and institutions, including higher education. As part of its academic and civic mission, the University of Saint Joseph’s School of Interdisciplinary Health and Science will host a Spring 2026 Immigration Seminar that will engage students, faculty, and community members in meaningful dialogue about immigration and its impact on individuals, families, institutions and communities. This seminar will include a guest speaker, a panel of professionals, and storytelling from lived experience. For this part of the seminar, an interdisciplinary, interprofessional panel will focus on how the immigrant experience has shaped their lives and careers. The seminar is designed to enhance awareness, expand understanding, and strengthen partnerships between the University and the broader community.

This project is supported in part by the NEH Arts & Humanities Fund at the University of Saint Joseph.

Panelists:

Shernette G. Giron is the Founder and Managing Attorney of Noyes & Associates, LLC, a firm committed to guiding individuals and families through the U.S. immigration system. Immigrating from Jamaica at age 11, her personal journey inspires her work. Shernette earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Massachusetts School of Law and an LL.M. to specialize in immigration law. Admitted to the Connecticut Bar in 2011, she leads with a client-centered approach, assisting with visas, green cards, and citizenship. Her firm is known for its personalized, empathetic service, empowering clients throughout their immigration journey.

Juan Roberto Girón-Sánchez, JD, is a passionate advocate for individuals and families pursuing the American Dream. Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Juan’s journey reflects resilience and service—including being an NCAA All-American in track and field. He holds a Juris Doctor from Quinnipiac University School of Law and has served as a Research Assistant at Yale and a Spanish linguist for law enforcement. His work spans immigration law, fatherhood empowerment, financial literacy, and child advocacy, with a focus on fostering healthy relationships and breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma.

Novia McLaren is the Founder and Owner of My Story Counseling, LLC, a group practice dedicated to promoting mental health and well-being, particularly for BIPOC communities. A licensed therapist with over seven years of experience, she specializes in EMDR, Multi-Dimensional Family Therapy (MDFT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness interventions. Novia earned her undergraduate degree from Saint Joseph College and her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Saint Joseph in 2012. Her work includes counseling teens, adults, and families, as well as conducting psychological evaluations for immigrant families and asylum seekers.

Ahmed Abdelmageed, Pharm.D. is the Dean of the School of Ph*rm*cy and PA Studies at the University of St. Joseph. Ahmed is a Muslim, Palestinian, American who was born and raised in the Middle East. Ahmed speaks about his experiences living in North America, Canada and the US, and how the intersectionalities of his identities impact and have impacted his journey. Passionate about humanizing the label, Ahmed gave a TEDx talk titled "The I Behind the Immigrant" (

) which he later transformed into the podcast series "The I in Immigrant" (https://nomad78.substack.com/) where he interviews immigrants from all walks of life and delves a bit deeper into the person we often don't see behind a label our society imposes on them. Ahmed, a pharmacist by profession, has also developed and conducts training on "Islam and Caring for the Muslim Patient". He is an advisory member to the Indiana Center for Middle East Peace and currently serves on the board of Farmington Valley American Muslim Center (FVAMC) and Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) in Connecticut.

Luisa Caycedo-Kimura is a Colombian-born writer, translator, educator, and former attorney. She holds an MFA from Boston University. She is the author of All Were Limones (The Word Works, 2025), winner of the Hillary Tham Capital Collection competition. This collection delves into the author's experiences as an immigrant from Colombia, exploring the duality of cultures, loss, and celebration. Other honors include a Connecticut Office of the Arts Emerging Recognition Award, a John K. Walsh Residency Fellowship at The Anderson Center, an Adrienne Reiner Hochstadt Fellowship at Ragdale, and a Robert Pinsky Global Fellowship in Poetry. A three time Pushcart Prize nominee and Best of the Net nominee.