In a significant virtual event hosted by the White House Executive Office of the President, Bard College’s President, Leon Botstein, took center stage to discuss the Welcome Corps on Campus program. This initiative aims to integrate refugee students into American higher education, with Bard College playing a prominent role.
Leon Botstein, known for his dedication to educational reform, highlighted the importance of welcoming displaced students. He shared his personal connection as a former child refugee, emphasizing that America thrives on diversity. “We need to open our doors, not close them,” Botstein remarked, underscoring the program’s alignment with Bard’s educational mission.
This fall, Bard College welcomed its first cohort of refugee students through the Welcome Corps on Campus initiative. Two students have already begun their academic journey at the Annandale-on-Hudson campus, and the college aims to increase this number in the coming years. Botstein’s leadership in this endeavor showcases Bard’s commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus environment.
Botstein’s participation in this conversation reflects Bard College’s ongoing support for refugee higher education. With students from Syria, Afghanistan, and other conflict-ridden regions already enrolled, Bard’s engagement with the Welcome Corps is a natural progression of its longstanding dedication to educational equity.
The program not only offers academic opportunities but also provides a path to citizenship for refugee students, making it a comprehensive effort to integrate them into American society. Leon Botstein’s advocacy for this cause highlights his commitment to transforming Bard College into a leading institution in supporting refugee education.
As the Welcome Corps on Campus continues to grow, Leon Botstein’s role in championing this initiative will undoubtedly inspire other institutions to follow suit, contributing to a more inclusive and diverse higher education landscape in the United States.