Raymond Partolan, Mercer University

Mercer University junior Raymond Partolan puts his skills of public service advocacy and leadership into practice not only by serving as President of Mercer’s Student Government Association but also by speaking and lobbying on behalf of young adults who find themselves disenfranchised through no fault of their own: the college-aged children of undocumented immigrants. As the child of immigrants who lost their visas, Raymond knows the indignities and frustrations of these young adults first-hand. He has translated his situation into becoming a passionate and knowledgeable advocate for immigration reform and an inspiring role model for active citizenship and civic engagement. For several years, Raymond has lobbied in Washington, D.C. for passage of the Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act and spoken before crowds of thousands at various human rights rallies. Currently, Raymond has been granted lawful presence in the U.S. through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. He plans to continue his activism by attending law school and studying immigration law.