Advancing Hope: The Remarkable Journey of Refugee Students

Wars, conflicts and other events have resulted in millions of refugees scattered in camps, makeshift housing and communities across the world. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, of the current 84 million refugees, 68% originate from only 6 countries: Syria, Venezuela, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Palestine and Myanmar. Among the many challenges refugees face is access to higher education. The United States has recently launched a new program aimed at providing pathways to higher education for qualified refugee students. Salve Regina University is an established leader in this initiative and has been hosting displaced and refugee students since 2012.

This seminar will build participants' understanding of this mission-focused program and its many benefits to the students, as well as to the institution and our community. The instructors will moderate a student panel in which displaced and refugee students will share their journeys and their experiences forging their own pathway in our community.

Erin FitzGerald is the director of Salve Regina University's Center for Global Education and Fellowships. She has over 30 years of experience in the field of international higher education administration. Since 2012 she has organized Salve's efforts to welcome and support displaced and refugee students, primarily from Syria and Afghanistan. Erin, along with Dr. Mary Montminy-Danna, is currently leading the University's work on Welcome Corps on Campus, a new nationwide program designed to create higher education pathways for refugee students.

Mary Montminy-Danna, Ph.D., is chair of Salve Regina University’s Social Work department. She has taught at Salve Regina for over 35 years, is a licensed social worker and has taught courses on social welfare policy and international social work.