Iman Saad '17: Center for Social Justice Scholar
Iman Saad ’17 works with faculty at the Center for Social Justice on issues of immigration
and human rights
Iman Saad ’17, Center for Social Justice (CSJ) Scholar, works with Professors Lori A. Nessel and Farrin Anello on international human rights and immigration issues, and hopes to conduct further
research on issues of immigration and political activism in Europe.
The Center for Social Justice selects one or two outstanding students each year to serve as CSJ Scholars. The scholars
are selected from applicants in the first-year class who have demonstrated a strong
commitment to careers in public interest. The CSJ Scholars, who serve until they graduate,
are offered various public interest opportunities and benefits, including the chance
to complete an externship at the CSJ during their second year of law school, mentoring,
and a full-year of clinical courses in their last year of law school. Saad joins Chris Cochran ’16 and Sergio Suarez ’16, who were selected in 2014-15, and Sofia Iqbal ’16 and Antoinette Solomon ’16, who were selected as Scholars in 2013-14.
Iman Saad ’17 was selected due to her clear commitment to public interest. She completed
her undergraduate studies at The College of New Jersey, where she received a Bachelor
of Arts in Journalism and Political Science in May 2014.
As an undergraduate, Saad undertook comparative research on immigrants and their struggles
in seeking a better life in the United States and in Europe. Specifically, she studied
European protest movements over the span of several years in the wake of the financial
crisis, culminating in a research paper that dealt with immigration patterns and political
activism among immigrants in Europe. She also worked with the Muslim Student Association
on charitable events to assist immigrants and refugees in the United States.
“Based on my family’s background of living in Lebanon and moving to the United States,
I have always been interested in immigration and international human rights law, “Saad
explained. “I am committed to helping immigrants in the United States as well as refugees
throughout the world.”
During the summer of 2015, Saad served as an intern at the U.S. Department of Justice,
Executive Office for Immigration Review, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. “The summer internship
solidified my interest in immigration law and working with people who have been detained,”
she said. “I was able to learn so much about the court system and all the different
ways other areas of law overlap with immigration.”
When she is not focusing on her immigration work, Saad finds time for her interests
in fashion, writing, and film. She once interned with New York Family Magazine and wrote articles and posts online for a fashion and lifestyle magazine
and website. Saad was involved with theater organizations at her undergraduate college,
serving as lighting designer for several college productions. She also spends her
free time ice skating during the colder months.
Regarding her future plans, Saad states, “I plan to use my experience at Seton Hall
to provide legal services to detained immigrations and individuals seeking asylum
in the United States. Also, I hope to eventually return to Lebanon and get involved
in international human rights organizations that help refugees in the country.”