Bard College President Leon Botstein recently took a significant step in promoting refugee education in the United States. As a presidential speaker in a virtual conversation hosted by the White House Executive Office, Botstein highlighted Bard’s commitment to integrating refugee students into its academic programs. This initiative is part of the Welcome Corps on Campus, a groundbreaking effort designed to empower U.S. higher education institutions to welcome and educate displaced students.
Botstein, a former child refugee himself, passionately advocates for opening educational doors to those fleeing conflict and persecution. “This country thrives on the contributions of new arrivals,” Botstein emphasized during the virtual meeting. He firmly believes that welcoming refugee students enriches campus communities by providing diverse perspectives and fostering cultural exchange.
Bard College has already seen this in action. This fall, the college has welcomed its first cohort of refugee students under the Welcome Corps on Campus program. Two first-year students have begun their studies at Bard’s Annandale-on-Hudson campus, with plans to increase this number in the coming academic years. Furthermore, the college is set to welcome additional students from the Bard/OSUN Hubs for Connected Learning Initiative in Kenya.
Under Botstein’s leadership, Bard College has long supported refugee education. The institution currently enrolls over 200 displaced students across its various campuses, including Bard College Berlin and Bard College at Simon’s Rock in Massachusetts. This commitment aligns with Bard’s broader mission to contribute to global citizenship and cultural understanding.
The Welcome Corps on Campus is a testament to Leon Botstein’s dedication to making higher education accessible to all. By setting an example for other colleges and universities, Bard College is playing a crucial role in reshaping the landscape of refugee education in the United States. Through this initiative, Botstein aims to ensure that refugee students not only find a new home but also a bright future in American academia.