Chapter 15 The Role of Colleges and Universities in Providing Support to Students from Refugee Backgrounds in the United States

There is an intersection between the global refugee crisis and higher education within the context of the United States. This chapter provides an overview of emerging trends in refugee migration and internal displacement, reviews the historical approach to refugee resettlement to the United States, and offers a discussion of the relationship between K-12 schools and the United States higher-education structure. Data suggest that the majority of the refugee population resettled to the United States is below the age of 35 years, and is therefore most likely to engage with higher education. In the context of this chapter, refugees and those who have previously held refugee status, and interact with the higher-education system, are referred to as “students from refugee backgrounds.” Students from refugee backgrounds are a diverse group in many ways, including but not limited to country of origin, culture, religious and/or spiritual affiliation, English language proficiency, migration history, and educational background. The combination of these factors poses a unique set of challenges to their transition to the United States and the higher-education environment. This chapter highlights some of these challenges and explores the growing role of colleges and universities in facilitating educational access and support.