As a trusted voice on your campus and in your community, you are best equipped to share the opportunity to join the Welcome Corps on Campus within your network. Use this toolkit to best suit the needs and resources of your audience.
A Note from the Welcome Corps on Campus
The need for collective action to support refugee students could not be greater. Forced displacement throughout the world has doubled in the past decade, and among the displaced are thousands of university-aged refugees dreaming about continuing their education. While 40% of students access higher education worldwide, only 6% of refugee students have access to higher education.
Despite the growing interest in the intersection between higher education and displacement, a structured and sustainable pathway for refugee students through higher education did not exist in the United States—until now.
We are excited to share a groundbreaking opportunity for your campus to sponsor refugee students through the Welcome Corps, a new U.S. government service opportunity launched by the U.S. Department of State earlier this year. The Welcome Corps empowers everyday Americans to come together to privately sponsor refugees, building on our country’s long tradition of providing refuge to those fleeing persecution. The Welcome Corps on Campus program leverages the capacity of U.S. higher education institutions to serve as a safe haven, provide academic opportunities for refugee students, foster more diverse and inclusive campuses, and create a sustainable opportunity for colleges and universities to welcome refugee students on their campuses. With the support of institutional leadership, campus private sponsor groups, consisting of staff, faculty, students and nearby community members will welcome refugee students at their institutions to provide them with a softer landing, an educational pathway, and a supportive community that helps set them up for academic and overall success.
By committing to enroll one to three refugee students, your campus can be part of this historic moment in U.S. resettlement and higher education. The Welcome Corps on Campus is the first and only education pathway for refugee students that leads to permanent residency in the United States while enabling refugees to obtain a higher education degree. This is the moment for the United States to embark on the essential next step in expanding refugee access to higher education. In this toolkit you will find the information and tools you need to bring Welcome Corps on Campus to your institution. With your help, we can empower refugee students by providing them with the life-changing opportunity to resettle and study in the United States and become active members in our communities!
How to Use this Toolkit
This toolkit is designed to equip institutions like yours to recruit members of their campus communities to take the first steps and establish a campus private sponsor group. Groups can be made up of faculty, staff, student volunteers and nearby community members—any individuals who meet the minimum requirements and have the capacity and willingness to welcome. Groups are made up of at least five U.S. citizens or permanent residents, who are over the age of 18, and who are directly connected to the campus.
About the Welcome Corps on Campus
Use this one-pager to share introductory information about the Welcome Corps on Campus with your networks.
Frequently Asked Questions
College and university campuses across America are uniquely positioned to provide a life-changing opportunity and welcome refugee students. Campus ecosystems provide access to education, housing, health services, dining halls, and additional social supports to ensure the best possible welcome for refugee students. Learn more about the role of private sponsors and eligibility requirements for the Welcome Corps on Campus.
5 Steps to Engage & Mobilize Your Campus
Campus ecosystems provide access to education and important wrap-around services such as housing, health services, dining halls, and additional social and academic supports that ensure the best possible welcome for refugee students. Mapping, connecting, educating, and mobilizing this ecosystem is key to sponsoring and welcoming refugee students on your campus. These five steps outline the process from engaging and mobilizing your campus to submitting an application to sponsor one or several refugee students at your institution.
Background on Refugee Resettlement and Higher Education
Refugee resettlement aims to provide long-term solutions for individuals who have been forced to flee their homes due to violence and persecution. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) coordinates resettlement in cooperation with national governments, with the United States being one of the leading countries of resettlement. However, with over 108.3 million people displaced globally, and around 35.3 million of those displaced holding legal refugee status, less than 1 percent of refugees are resettled each year.
Glossary of Terms and Acronyms
Reference this guide for frequently used Terms and Acronyms in the Welcome Corps on Campus materials.
Sample Private Sponsor Group Structure and Roles
When recruiting for campus private sponsor groups, we encourage sponsors to consider diversity of membership—including age, background, skills set, race/ethnicity and faith background. Help set groups up for success by reviewing these sample roles and responsibilities to ensure groups are prepared to deliver core private sponsorship services for newly arriving refugee students.
Social Media Toolkit
Share the Welcome Corps on Campus and your commitment to welcoming refugee students across your institution’s social media channels, and to inspire your network to learn more and join a campus private sponsor group.
