The Wisconsin Refugee Technical and Higher Education Readiness Program is a readiness and college counseling pilot initiative that has supported refugees and immigrants in pursuing higher education and technical degrees. The initiative has helped strengthen newcomers’ familiarity with the U.S. higher education system, navigate the process of enrolling in college and technical training courses, access financial aid, and understand various state and federal programs. The refugee resettlement agency ECDC Multicultural Community Center of Wausau, Wisconsin (MCC-WI) has led the initiative in collaboration with local higher education and technical training institutions.
In this Article:
1. Purpose for the Program
Many refugees in Wisconsin or elsewhere face various barriers as they navigate the resettlement process and integrate into new communities. Among the obstacles are access to higher education and securing workforce opportunities that meet newcomers’ skills, talents, interests, and long-term self-sufficiency goals. ECDC MCC-WI launched this pilot initiative to help address these gaps and opportunities, with the broader goal of advancing the educational ambitions, empowerment, and long-term integration of refugees and immigrants in central Wisconsin.
2. Key to the Success of the Program
This model provides valuable opportunities for learning from participants, staff, and the community. One important approach integrated into this model is significant personal outreach. By individually reaching out to each resettled family and person directly, ECDC MCC-WI establishes trust, develops a greater understanding of their specific needs, and provides tailored support. This approach also helps create a sense of belonging and fosters more robust engagement by participants, including whole families, in the program.
This model also facilitates opportunities for refugee and immigrant families and individuals to connect with representatives at local universities and technical colleges directly. These opportunities are facilitated through campus tours as well as family-friendly informational events that feature guest speakers who cover diverse topics such as technology, dormitory facilities, differences between the U.S. education system and select educational systems abroad, and accessing financial aid and resources.
Additionally, the model allows for connections between ECDC MCC-WI and representatives from other agencies that assist refugees and immigrants in Wisconsin. This networking provides insights into best practices and collaborative approaches, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the collective educational initiatives and strengthening the resiliency of the newcomer support infrastructure in the state.
3. Key Actors and Participants
The program is a pilot initiative designed by ECDC MCC-WI. Implementers have included a University Access Navigator who is of the same immigrant background as many participants, a Community Engagement Manager at the agency, and local university-connected interns.
Participants have consisted of refugees, humanitarian parolees, and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders resettled through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). Most participants have been of Afghan background.
Key partners have included Mid-State Technical College, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and Northcentral Technical College.
4. Impact and Outcomes
So far 39 families and 51 individuals have successfully learned about the path to success on their education journeys, with several enrolling in programs. The campus partners have gained a stronger understanding of refugee experiences, including student volunteers gaining community engagement opportunities that enhance their education and cultural awareness.
ECDC MCC-WI has planned a series of program events and training with campus partners and language interpreters. The first event was held in May 2023 at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, for a group of Afghan parents and their children with representatives from the university admissions office who discussed secondary education opportunities. This successful event eventually led to campus visits in the wider Wisconsin area and reached many refugees and immigrants in the surrounding community. For example:
In February and March 2024, Afghan men, women, and families visited the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and Mid-State Technical College Wisconsin Rapids Campus, where they participated in campus tours and met with faculty and staff to learn about the institutions’ programs and degree offerings, financial aid, and application processes and requirements. The Mid-State visit had 23 attendees, including seven Afghan women. Meanwhile, 27 Afghan families attended a visit to the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. About half of the families brought their children who were nearing high school graduation. During the visit, the Director of Admissions and a professor who is also the Dean of the College of Education spoke to the families. The professor is of refugee background, and his children were the first refugee students to access college in central Wisconsin.
5. Implementation Steps
Here are four steps to implement a similar project:
1. Conduct a needs assessment and consultations in your local community.
2. Generate interest and buy-in from your organizational leadership and key community stakeholders, including any prospective champions at local higher education and technical training institutions.
3. Review existing models and resources such as those listed on the Refugee Resource Hub.
4. Identify grant opportunities, including by funders in your local area or at the national level (consulting with national partners may help widen your scope and awareness of existing opportunities).
6. Challenges
Due to the work and family commitments of the refugee and immigrant participants, the process of scheduling educational and informational opportunities with universities and technical colleges has at times been challenging. Overcoming this challenge has required effective communication and coordination between all parties involved, including providing adequate context to universities and colleges on the intensity of the resettlement process and refugees’ schedules, as well as transportation needs, to ensure the planned initiatives are accessible for newcomer participants.
7. Resources and Partnerships
This initiative would not be possible without successful partnerships and support from local institutions such as the Mid-State Technical College, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and Northcentral Technical College.
Funding and resource mobilization, especially for long-term and expected commitments, are needed to ensure appropriate staffing and compensation, technology, and technical guidance and counseling for the program. MCC-WI hired a University Navigator who held most coordination responsibilities; we have found that having a dedicated staff person is crucial for program maintenance and success. In addition, MCC-WI has had previous success recruiting volunteers and interns through campus partners; for example, the Pointers Connect Internship (PCI) Program at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
8. Looking to the Future
A national philanthropic grant provided the seed funding for this pilot initiative. ECDC is exploring new funding to resume activities.
9. Contact Information
Name: Janice Watson
Title: Director
Organization: ECDC MCC-WI
State: Wisconsin