EMU Today

YPSILANTI — Eastern Michigan University is participating in a special virtual discussion to unveil its plans for welcoming the first cohort of refugee students through the Welcome Corps on Campus initiative. The event, hosted by the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, is scheduled for Wednesday, July 24, at 1 p.m. 

EMU is the first university in the nation and one of just 18 universities this year to host students as part of the initiative. Launched by the U.S. State Department in partnership with six nationwide non-governmental organizations, including the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, the Welcome Corps on Campus aims to support refugee students whose studies have been interrupted.

Attendees will hear from Lauren London, general counsel for Eastern Michigan University, along with other representatives from public and private institutions, on how they will welcome, enroll, and support refugee students through their academic journeys in the U.S. 

Among the group of distinguished speakers include:

Kinga Atamer, Global Initiatives Coordinator, University of Connecticut
Danna Harman, Dean of Displaced Students, Bard College
Roze Hentschell, Chief Academic Officer, Colorado State University System
Lauren London, General Counsel, Eastern Michigan University
Danielle Macdonald, Senior Associate Dean and Professor of Anthropology, University of Tulsa
Laura Wagner, Director of Refugee Student Initiatives, Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education & Immigration

Universities and colleges are encouraged to participate and learn how to participate in this U.S. government’s private sponsorship program, Welcome Corps on Campus. To register, visit the webpage.

The Welcome Corps on Campus program at EMU depends primarily on charitable support. For more information or to contribute, interested parties can give to the “New Future Fund” on the EMU Foundation website.

About Welcome Corps on Campus:
Welcome Corps on Campus links higher education to U.S. resettlement and a pathway to U.S. citizenship. Campus communities support refugee students who were forced to flee their homes and now face barriers to continuing their education. Campus private sponsor groups help newly arriving refugee students enroll in classes, provide academic support, and help them acclimate to campus life and American society.

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 13,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.