Lizzette Rivera

Lizzette was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois and graduated summa cum laude from Northeastern Illinois University with a bachelor's in social work. She has volunteered her time at a girls orphanage in Guatemala and became inspired by community-based organizing in a global context using a grassroots approach. In addition, she has worked on reentry programs in both Chicago and Detroit aiding individuals returning from prison. Her populations of interest are immigrants, indigenous people, refugees, and returned citizens. As a GASP scholar, Lizzette hopes to begin a career in international social work as a community organizer to aid underdeveloped communities in South America. Furthermore, as a first-generation college and graduate student, she hopes to continue in higher education by pursuing a doctoral degree and becoming a professor. One of Lizzette’s favorite quotes is "We must struggle every day so that this love for humanity becomes Reality." - Che Guevara