Chemeketa Community College will host the 2025 Salem Peace Lecture, Holding on to Hope: Navigating the Crisis of Detention and Deportation, featuring acclaimed historian Ana Raquel Minian, Ph.D., of Stanford University. The event will take place on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Chemeketa Auditorium, Building 6, on the Salem Campus. Admission is free and open to the public.

Dr. Minian, a professor of history at Stanford University and award-winning author of In the Shadow of Liberty: The Invisible History of Immigrant Detention, is widely recognized for her groundbreaking scholarship on immigration, borderlands, and the human consequences of detention and deportation policies. Her work highlights the lived experiences of immigrant communities, blending rigorous research with compelling narratives that illuminate the challenges—and resilience—of those navigating migration systems.

In addition to the keynote lecture, the evening will include the presentation of the 2025 Peacemaker of the Year Award to Mano a Mano, a local nonprofit recognized for its compassionate leadership and creative programming that uplift Latino/a/x community members.

“We are honored to welcome Dr. Minian to Chemeketa, and to celebrate the inspiring work of Mano a Mano,” said Jon Mathis, Ph.D., Executive Director of Chemeketa’s Bridging Institute. “This event exemplifies Chemeketa’s mission to create a place of peace, belonging, and opportunity for all members of our community.”

The Salem Peace Lecture is one of the community’s most anticipated annual events, offering reflection, dialogue, and recognition of those who advance peace and justice. Parking is available on campus, and guests are encouraged to review Chemeketa’s campus map for directions to Building 6.