Prioritizing Inclusivity: How Universities Can Support Refugee Students

EXPERT Q&A

Michelle Bellino, associate professor at the University of Michigan, emphasizes the importance of universities prioritizing refugees and displaced communities to foster a just society. She advocates for institutions to join Welcome Corps on Campus, a new program aiding refugee students.

Challenges Refugee Youth Face

Currently, 117.3 million people are displaced globally, with 40% being school-aged children. Refugees often face barriers like overcrowded schools, high costs, and discrimination. Displacement disrupts education, leaving many young people out of school for years and making higher education particularly elusive.

Welcome Corps on Campus

Only 7% of refugees globally access higher education. The U.S. Department of State launched Welcome Corps on Campus to improve this, linking higher education to resettlement through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. The program supports refugee students financially, logistically, academically, and socially, starting with cohorts from Kenya and Jordan.

University Admission and Financial Support

Most U.S. universities do not distinguish between displaced students and international applicants, complicating the admission process. Many refugees face bureaucratic and financial hurdles, and lack of transparency in university policies adds to these challenges. A recent study estimates over 54,000 refugee students are currently in U.S. universities, though this number might be conservative due to limited data.

Importance of Joining Welcome Corps on Campus

Higher education institutions have a moral duty to address displacement. Universities can leverage existing resources to support refugee students, enriching campus diversity and fostering a more equitable world. Sponsored students also bring valuable cultural and experiential diversity to campuses.

Making Colleges More Accessible

Colleges can create inclusive policies and communicate them clearly to bridge educational access gaps. Recognizing transborder mobility and status as dimensions of diversity, equity, and inclusion can help make campuses more welcoming to refugees.

University of Michigan’s Support

Bellino founded the Coalition for Welcoming and Belonging at the University of Michigan in 2023. Co-led by Katie Lopez and Marcela Ortiz, the coalition aims to make the campus more inclusive for displaced learners. The coalition raises awareness and hopes to join Welcome Corps on Campus to support displaced students more effectively.