Tricia Vowels, Texas Department State Health Services, Migrant Experience Conference:
The evaluations for Mr. Germano’s presentation were the best that we have had in the 8 years of providing this workshop.
Julia Sarreal, Assistant Professor of History, Arizona State University:
It was truly a pleasure to work with Roy Germano for two screenings of The Other Side of Immigration at Arizona State University. At both screenings in Tempe and the West-Campus, about 250 people attended. Roy is a charismatic and dynamic speaker. The audience remained engaged throughout the question and answer session. He presented the issues in such a way as not to alienate the audience or anyone with a particularly strong opinion on either side of the immigration debate. The outcome was very productive. During the Q&A, an individual strongly against immigration reform applauded Roy for accurately summarizing the forces pushing people to emigrate. At the end of a long question and answer period, people lined up to talk further with Roy. Everyone agreed that he is an exceptional public speaker.
Dana Monsein, Assistant Professor of Spanish, Endicott College:
Roy Germano’s visit to our campus was an excellent experience. Among the students who attended, many expressed that seeing his film and hearing him speak opened their eyes to aspects of immigration and migration that previously they knew nothing about. One student commented that it made him do a complete 180 in regard to his outlook. In short, Dr. Germano’s presentation was a valuable learning experience that helped to promote a deeper understanding of many issues connected to immigration and, even more importantly, of the people involved.
Veronica Guevara, Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority, University of Iowa:
From high schoolers to university students to retired folks, Dr. Germano appealed to the wide variety of his audiences in an smooth engaging way… Dr. Germano is an exceptionally charismatic speaker.
Matthew Runion, Associate Campus Pastor, Bethel University:
We were blessed to host Roy Germano for a screening and discussion of The Other Side of Immigration here at Bethel University. Roy’s engaging style and his personality made for a delightful event. Roy moved seamlessly from statistics and policy issues to the compelling personal stories which make up much of the film. It was an ideal event for both beginners and experts. We hope to have him back again at some point.
Mary Zelazny, CEO Finger Lakes Community Health, NYS Farmworker Health Conference
The evaluations received after the conference on Mr. Germano’s session clearly demonstrated how well received he was. For those of us who have had the distinct pleasure of meeting Mr. Germano and hearing him speak on such an important issue, we cannot speak highly enough about his ability to deliver a clear, concise, very knowledgeable message.
Zaki Abdelhamid, Humanities Washington:
In our post event survey, attendees described Roy as captivating, well informed, and thoughtful. Roy’s presentation fulfilled our goal of learning about and discussing controversial topics in a civil manner.
Magdalena Fernandez, East Coast Migrant Stream Forum:
Dr. Roy Germano is a charismatic and engaging presenter. Many of our participants cited Dr. Germano’s presentation and film as the highlight of the conference.
Griselda Gómez, Massachusetts Institute of Technology:
Showcasing Roy Germano’s film was a huge success! The audience, mainly students, really enjoyed the film and discussing immigration with Germano during a very engaging Q&A session. It was a great pleasure to have Germano screen his film and him visit a couple of classes—everyone enjoyed meeting such a great, engaging, and knowledgeable speaker on the topic—we hope to invite him again soon!
Caitlin Duffy, The College of New Jersey Spanish Club:
The College of New Jersey was thrilled to welcome Dr. Roy Germano and his amazing film, The Other Side of Immigration, in April 2012. Roy patiently worked one-on-one with me via phone and e-mail conversations as my university’s Spanish Club was applying to receive the necessary funding to offer a screening and Q&A with the director. The event attracted 200 students and members of the campus community and had to be shown in two large spaces to accommodate everyone interested in seeing the documentary. The event jump-started a growing interest in “illegal” immigration and immigration reform across campus, so much so that other immigration related events are planned by a number of campus groups to continue the conversation next semester. The questions kept coming during the Q&A following the screening when Dr. Germano articulately addressed a number of myths associated with “illegal” immigration and undocumented immigrants. He was an engaging and energetic speaker that flawlessly incorporated statistics and personal observations and experiences. It was an educational, eye-opening experience that students continued to discuss well after the event. I was so impressed with Roy and his film that I hope to bring him to the university where I will be a graduate student during the next two years. The Other Side of Immigration not only opens your heart to the plight of Latin Americans who migrate to the United States, but also your eyes as to how United States policy and North American multinationals create the deplorable conditions in Latin American countries such as Mexico.