For Dan-el Padilla Peralta, books were a way to rise above living in a homeless shelter in New York City after coming to the United States as an undocumented immigrant. Decades later, his memoir tells of his rise from abject poverty to an illustrious career in academia.  

This week, the UDC College of Arts and Sciences will use that memoir as a springboard to share their own experiences, during CAS Reads Big: “Undocumented: A Dominican Boy’s Odyssey from a Homeless Shelter to the Ivy League.”  

At the event, UDC first-year students will discuss “Undocumented” and share original pieces inspired by the book’s themes of academic achievement and perseverance in the face of hardship. A panel discussion will then dive into further exploration of these topics.   

“I found myself feeling connected with the book. I shared many similarities with the book, and it made me feel understood with my experience entering a new country,” said student panelist Yalix Lina. “The language barrier impacted me for years. Till this day, I find myself messing up both of my languages.”  

Bethany Monea, an assistant professor of English and event organizer, said she hopes students are inspired by Peralta’s story and writing.  

“As a student-led event, I hope it will not only emphasize the book’s important messages about pursuing educational excellence in the face of adversity, but also highlight the hard work, skillful writing and critical insights of our first-year students,” she said.   

Peralta, now an associate professor of classics at Princeton, was fortunate enough to meet a volunteer at the homeless shelter who encouraged his love of reading. The volunteer, who hailed from a wealthy family, helped Peralta gain a full scholarship to Collegiate School in New York City, considered the oldest private secondary school in the country.   

Before he was to deliver the salutatorian’s address at his Princeton commencement, Peralta made the decision to disclose that he was undocumented in a Wall Street Journal profile. Scholars praise the memoirist for putting a face to the current immigration debate.