Higher Ed in Refugee Work Support Chart

Over the last few years, an ecosystem of organizations supporting higher education institutions on challenges at the intersection of education and immigration has flourished. The following chart aims to bring clarity as to the support institutions engaged in building upcoming and resettled refugee students, scholars, and other nonstudent refugees across various domains.

Click on each organization’s name in each category to learn more about their support in each area and see how they can support your work.

Download the map and org. descriptions here

Supporting U.S. Colleges & Universities Engaged in Building Refugee Success

Student Enrollment Support
- Int’l Students with Refugee Backgrounds
  The Presidents’ Alliance is an alliance of 550+ presidents & chancellors that provides support and technical assistance to campuses desiring to gain information on enrolling and supporting international students with refugee backgrounds, including understanding the various legal statuses these students may hold. To access key resources on enrolling refugee students, please visit this page. To request technical assistance, please fill out this form.
- Community Colleges
  The Presidents’ Alliance is an alliance of 550+ presidents & chancellors that provides support and technical assistance to community colleges recruiting and supporting students with refugee backgrounds. To request technical assistance, please fill out this form.
- Scholarship Coordination & Student Placement
  The Institute of International Education (IIE) works with public and private sector partners and universities to guide students through the college application process assessing their experience and academic credentials to match them with programs that best align with their profiles and needs. For more information, please reach out to Mary Karam McKey here.
- Inclusive Admissions Processes
  World Education Services (WES) is a non-profit social enterprise that supports the educational, economic, and social inclusion of immigrants, refugees, and international students. The WES Gateway Program assesses the educational credentials of individuals who have limited proof of their academic achievements. A WES Gateway Program credential evaluation report can help eligible individuals continue their education, become licensed in their field, or take the next step on their career pathway in the U.S. The report can be accepted by higher education institutions, regulatory bodies, and employers. For more information, please reach out to Isabel Schroeder here.
  
  The Higher Ed Immigration Portal is a platform that integrates data, policies, and resources about refugee and other student communities. The portal supports immigration reform and federal policymaking, fuels change at the state and campus level, and builds a diverse movement of partners and stakeholders advocating for these students. In addition to in-state tuition and state financial aid policies information across all 50 states and D.C. for undocumented and refugee students. The portal also centralizes resources, including spotlight models for higher education institutions looking to support refugee students, and non-students, in various domains through a dedicated hub. The platform is an initiative of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Education.
Direct Services for Refugees
- Housing
  Every Campus A Refuge (ECAR) mobilizes and builds the capacity of colleges and universities to provide newly arriving refugees with free or subsidized on-campus or campus-adjacent transitional housing in collaboration with local refugee resettlement agencies. These arrangements typically last around 3-12 months, offering refugees a supportive environment and a softer landing as they adjust and plan their journey in their new community. For more information, feel free to reach out to Walid Mosarsaa here.
- Service Learning
  Every Campus A Refuge (ECAR) mobilizes and builds the capacity of colleges and universities to incorporate service learning alongside housing provision by actively involving students, faculty, and staff in the resettlement process of refugees. This engagement provides students with volunteer, service-learning, or credit-bearing educational and practical experiences in managing and supporting refugee integration, including case management, cultural orientation, and social support. This service-learning component not only aids refugees but also enriches the educational experience of university communities, fostering intercultural understanding, internationalization, empathy, and real-world skills in students and staff, aligning with the mission of universities as community-oriented institutions. A key resource developed by the organization is ECAR MINOR, which engages students in disciplinary, interdisciplinary and place-based experiences. For more information, feel free to reach out to Walid Mosarsaa here.
- Core Services / Co-sponsorship
  Every Campus A Refuge (ECAR) mobilizes and builds the capacity of colleges and universities to offer a comprehensive co-sponsorship model that includes several core services for refugees. This model encompasses the provision of housing and utilities on college and university campuses, access to campus amenities like libraries and gyms, and vital case management support for cultural, social, and community integration. ECAR emphasizes ethical engagement to maintain the agency, dignity, and privacy of refugees while facilitating their transition to off-campus housing after an initial hosting period. Additionally, the program fosters educational and community engagement opportunities, enriching the experience of both refugees and the university community. This multifaceted approach by ECAR effectively leverages the resources of higher education institutions to support refugee resettlement and integration. For more information, feel free to reach out to Walid Mosarsaa here.
- Academic Advising
  Once displaced students are enrolled, the Institute of International Education (IIE) provides holistic advising support to students, connecting them with an array of services both on and off campus as well as serving as a trusted resource and support. For more information, please reach out to Mary Karam McKey here.
- Career Pathway and Services
  Upwardly Global is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing workforce inclusion for immigrants, refugees, and asylees. The Upwardly Global Partnership Program extends the organization’s tailored learning tools and professional development resources to frontline immigrant-serving organizations, community colleges, and workforce providers. Upwardly Global equips partners with a comprehensive suite of resources, training, and technical assistance designed to address the unique challenges immigrants, refugees, and asylees face in accessing the U.S. job market and securing meaningful employment opportunities.
  
  The organization deeply values the work that community colleges are doing and aims to enhance institutions and organizations as President Alliane’s efforts by providing free, tested resources to help immigrants and refugees find skill-aligned roles in the U.S. Its tailored resources ensure that new arrivals can successfully navigate and contribute to the local economy. Together, they aim to create a more inclusive and prosperous future for all. For more information, feel free to reach out to Joanne Michaud here.
  World Education Services (WES) is a non-profit social enterprise that supports the educational, economic, and social inclusion of immigrants, refugees, and international students.
  - WES Career Pathways resources provide free career guidance for internationally trained refugees and other displaced individuals seeking to use their education in their field of study or related and alternative careers in the U.S. The resources allow individuals to explore career pathways they may be eligible for and offer field-specific information for in-demand professions. For more information, please reach out to Stefanie Vasquez here.
  - The WES Gateway Program assesses the educational credentials of individuals who have limited proof of their academic achievements. A WES Gateway Program credential evaluation report can help eligible individuals continue their education, become licensed in their field, or take the next step on their career pathway in the U.S. The report can be accepted by higher education institutions, regulatory bodies, and employers. For more information, please reach out to Isabel Schroeder here.
Building Inclusive Campuses
- Staff Training
  Every Campus A Refuge (ECAR) offers comprehensive training programs in collaboration with its partners. These include a certificate-bearing training in partnership with the National Association of Higher Education Systems (NASH)’s Refugee Resettlement Initiative (RRI) titled “Creating Inclusive Communities Together: Transforming Higher Education Through Refugee Integration,” (here) which equips participants to make campuses more inclusive for refugees. Additionally, ECAR, OUR (Opening Universities for Refugees), and Guilford College offer a certificate program (here) that builds the capacity of broader community members to advance refugee integration and inclusion, emphasizing the importance of refugee agency and dignity. For more information, feel free to reach out to Walid Mosarsaa here.
  
  The Presidents’ Alliance is an alliance of 550+ presidents & chancellors that provides support and technical assistance to institutions and practitioners on effective campus policies and practices to enrolling and supporting refugee students through training, webinars, facts sheets, and toolkits available on the Refugee Resource Hub. To request a specific resource or technical assistance, please fill out this form.
- Resources
  Every Campus A Refuge (ECAR) offers various resources to support colleges and universities in creating inclusive environments for refugees. These include comprehensive training programs (such as here) for educational institutions, the general public, and community members, focusing on refugee resettlement and integration. The AHLAN Manual (available to download here), a key resource, provides practical guidance for higher education institutions to establish supportive refugee ecosystems on campus and in local communities. Additionally, ECAR offers a Best Practices Manual (here), an Implementation Checklist, a Program Coordinator Handbook, and various impact studies, which collectively furnish insights and strategies for hosting and supporting refugees effectively. There are also resources like Chapter Set-Up FAQs and Resettlement Agency FAQs (here), the PERC map (here), as well as curricular components, such as credit-bearing programs integrating refugee support principles into academics. These resources collectively aid institutions in contributing meaningfully to refugee resettlement and integration, enhancing campus inclusivity and support for newcomers. For more information, feel free to reach out to Walid Mosarsaa here.
  
  The Higher Ed Immigration Portal is a platform that integrates data, policies, and resources about refugees and other student communities. The portal supports immigration reform and federal policymaking, fuels change at the state and campus level, and builds a diverse movement of partners and stakeholders advocating for these students. In addition to in-state tuition and state financial aid policies information across the 50 states and D.C. for undocumented and refugee students, The portal also centralizes resources, including spotlight models for higher education institutions looking to support refugee students, and non-students, in various domains through a dedicated hub. The platform is an initiative of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Education. To request a specific resource or technical assistance, please fill out this form.
  
  The Welcome Campus Network (WCN) regularly features presentations from a range of stakeholders, including staff from universities and colleges, advocates, newcomers, and practitioners to present on policy and program developments, opportunities, trends, experiences, and upcoming events in refugee resettlement and welcoming newcomers. WCN members also can access resources, tools, and training developed by the SHERR consortium. You can find more information about the WCN and how to join the Network here. Additional questions can be addressed to partners@welcome.us.
Research
- Curricula / Pedagogy
  Every Campus A Refuge (ECAR) provides assistance in curricula and pedagogy research through training programs, impact studies, syllabi, assignments, and the AHLAN manual for establishing resettlement campuses. These resources help institutions integrate refugee-related content into curricula and develop pedagogical approaches that support refugee integration. ECAR’s educational initiatives aim to engage students, faculty, and administrators in understanding and addressing refugee issues, contributing to a more inclusive and informed campus community. For more information, feel free to reach out to Walid Mosarsaa here.
- Program Research and Evaluations
  Two ECAR Impact studies, available here and here evaluated the impact of Every Campus A Refuge (ECAR) programs both on students and refugee families, shedding light on the positive outcomes and contributions to student learning and refugee integration. Furthermore, ECAR is presently engaged in an ongoing evaluation project of several ECAR campuses, strengthening its commitment to evidence-based practices and the continuous enhancement of its initiatives, aimed at fostering inclusive campus communities and supporting refugees. For more information, feel free to reach out to Walid Mosarsaa here.
  
  The Institute of International Education (IIE) conducts research and evaluation activities across a range of higher education topics using a variety of research tools and methods. IIE also provides third-party evaluation services. For more information, please reach out to Mary Karam McKey here.
Policy & Advocacy
- State
  The Presidents’ Alliance’s (PA) website features advocacy resources and actions at the state level, notably with respect to in-state tuition for refugees and other displaced students. For more information visit PA’s website here. To request a specific resource or a technical assistance meeting with a team member, please fill out this form.
  
  The Presidents’ Alliance’s (PA) website features advocacy resources and actions at the state level, notably with respect to in-state tuition for refugees and other displaced students. For more information visit PA’s website here. To request a specific resource or a technical assistance meeting with a team member, please fill out this form.
- Federal
  The Presidents’ Alliance (PA) is dedicated to increasing public understanding of immigration policies and practices and how these impact students, campuses, and communities. For more information visit PA’s website here. To request a specific resource or a technical assistance meeting with a team member, please fill out this form.
  
  The Presidents’ Alliance (PA) is dedicated to increasing public understanding of immigration policies and practices and how these impact students, campuses, and communities. For more information visit PA’s website here. To request a specific resource or a technical assistance meeting with a team member, please fill out this form.
Funding
- Public Funding
  The Institute of International Education (IIE) mobilizes public and private funding to support access to higher education for refugee and displaced people. For more information, please reach out to Mary Karam McKey here.
- Private Funding
  The Institute of International Education (IIE) mobilizes public and private funding to support access to higher education for refugee and displaced people. For more information, please reach out to Mary Karam McKey here.
  
  The Institute of International Education (IIE) mobilizes public and private funding to support access to higher education for refugee and displaced people. For more information, please reach out to Mary Karam McKey here.