Bard College President Leon Botstein Advocates for Refugee Inclusion in Higher Education
Bard College President Leon Botstein Advocates for Refugee Inclusion in Higher Education
Leon Botstein, President of Bard College, has once again demonstrated his commitment to global education through his participation in a prominent virtual conversation on the Welcome Corps on Campus initiative. Hosted by the White House Executive Office of the President, the event gathered key stakeholders from various educational institutions committed to supporting refugee students in the United States.
Botstein, who himself experienced life as a refugee, emphasized the critical role that higher education institutions play in integrating displaced students into academic and social settings. During the discussion, he highlighted Bard College’s proactive approach in welcoming refugee students as part of the inaugural cohort of the Welcome Corps on Campus this fall. Botstein emphasized that these efforts are not merely acts of charity but are integral to enriching the educational mission and cultural fabric of the college.
The Welcome Corps on Campus, a subset of the broader Welcome Corps initiative, empowers colleges and universities to act as resettlement spaces, providing academic opportunities and fostering inclusivity. For Botstein, this initiative aligns with Bard College’s long-standing tradition of supporting displaced students from around the world, including those from Syria and Afghanistan.
This academic year, Bard College has enrolled two refugee students through the Welcome Corps on Campus and plans to expand its commitment to include more students in the coming years. In partnership with the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, institutions like Bard are creating pathways for refugee students to pursue higher education and eventually citizenship.
Leon Botstein’s leadership underscores the importance of education in building bridges across cultures and addressing the challenges faced by refugee students. With continued advocacy and support, initiatives like Welcome Corps on Campus can significantly contribute to the integration and success of displaced students in the U.S. educational landscape.