Adler University is welcoming prominent immigration rights advocate Lawrence Benito as the keynote speaker at the Chicago and Online campuses’ commencement ceremony at the Chicago Theatre on Sunday, Oct. 27.

Benito currently serves as the executive director at the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), a group dedicated to promoting the rights of immigrants and refugees to full and equal participation in the civic, cultural, social, and political life of our diverse society.

As executive director since 2012, Benito has overseen successful campaigns to pass landmark pro-immigrant policies at the state level, shepherded the expansion of essential immigrant services programs, and furthered ICIRR’s standing as a national leader in immigrant rights organizing.

Since joining ICIRR in 2002, Benito has held multiple roles as a suburban-based community organizer, program director, and deputy director. He also acts as one of the organization’s in-house lobbyists and is the executive director of ICIRR’s sister nonprofit organization, ICIRR Action.

In addition to his role as CEO, Benito currently serves on the board of directors for Forefront, Illinois’ statewide association representing nonprofits and grantmakers. Previously, he was on the board of Chicago Public Media and is a past president of the Asian American Action Fund of Greater Chicago. On the national level, Benito serves as the board treasurer for the Fair Immigration Movement and on the executive committee for FIRM Action.

Benito is a Peace Corps alum, the son of immigrants from the Philippines, and lives in Woodlawn with his wife and four children.

During the commencement ceremony, Benito will receive the Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degree, which recognizes achievements in the humanities or for philanthropic work.