Rutgers-Newark Chancellor Nancy Cantor Receives National Honor for Supporting Undocumented Students

A national consortium of organizations that advocate for immigrants have recognized Rutgers-Newark Chancellor Nancy Cantor as a higher education leader who supports undocumented students’ access and success on campus and beyond.

Cantor received the 2024 Leadership in Higher Education Award at the inaugural SUCCESS ceremony held recently in Houston by TheDream.US, the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, and Immigrants Rising.

“Chancellor Nancy Cantor was honored for her long-standing commitment and leadership to support immigrant students. She was also recognized for her leadership as a co-founder and co-chair of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration,’’ according to a joint statement from the three organizations.

“This ceremony was an important opportunity to recognize that these leaders, institutions, and students are working to drive innovation, foster excellence, and contribute to the economic prosperity of our communities and country,’’ said Miriam Feldblum, Executive Director of the Presidents’ Alliance for Higher Education and Immigration.

Iliana Perez, Executive Director of Immigrants Rising, said, “We are inspired by the student leaders, practitioners and institutions that bravely use their voices and resources, even when it's difficult, in support of a more inclusive and welcoming world for undocumented students. With the inaugural SUCCESS awards, we recognize, applaud, and give thanks to the ones who are creating a transformative impact on countless lives.”

Under Cantor’s leadership within the past decade, Rutgers-Newark created several groundbreaking initiatives to support undocumented students. It became the first university in the nation to hold a special admissions and financial aid information day for undocumented students and their families. Titled UndocuRutgers, it served as a model that expanded to other parts of Rutgers and was adopted by numerous institutions nationwide.

Cantor also supported the launch of the introduction of free and confidential legal consultations for any Rutgers-Newark students with questions about immigration status and its implications for them or their families, in affiliation with Rutgers Law School’s Immigration Rights and Child Advocacy clinics in Newark. At about the same time, Rutgers-Newark launched its Office of Undocumented Student Services.

Cantor also advocated strongly for undocumented individuals to qualify for driver’s licenses in New Jersey, side by side with then-Rutgers-Newark student Esder Chong, an undocumented student leader. Governor Phil Murphy acknowledged this joint advocacy by choosing Rutgers-Newark as the site where he signed into law the bill granting that right.

In a video created for the conference, Cantor described undocumented students as those “who will build the positive trajectory of this community and the world going forward.’’

Watch Cantor and other higher education leaders share their thoughts here.