On September 4, Bard College President Leon Botstein participated in a virtual discussion on the Welcome Corps on Campus, an initiative hosted by the White House Executive Office of the President. This program aims to provide refugee students with opportunities for higher education in the United States, aligning with Bard College’s dedication to supporting displaced individuals.

Leon Botstein, a child refugee himself, underscored the importance of embracing refugees within academic institutions. During the virtual event, Botstein emphasized the critical role colleges play in fostering an inclusive environment for refugee students. “This country, in my view, is dependent on people from other countries coming here,” he stated, advocating for open doors and opportunities for those seeking refuge.

Bard College is actively participating in the Welcome Corps on Campus by welcoming its first cohort of refugee students this fall. Two students have already joined the Annandale-on-Hudson campus, with plans to welcome more from the Bard/OSUN Hubs for Connected Learning Initiative in Kenya. Leon Botstein highlighted that these efforts are not a form of charity but an integral part of Bard’s educational mission and its contribution to the campus culture.

The Welcome Corps on Campus initiative is part of the broader Welcome Corps program, launched by the U.S. Department of State. It aims to empower American institutions and citizens to sponsor and support refugees as they build new lives in the U.S. Leon Botstein’s involvement in this conversation reflects Bard College’s longstanding commitment to refugee education, which includes enrolling displaced students from various regions and preparing them through the RhEAP program.

As higher education institutions continue to support refugee students, the role of leaders like Leon Botstein remains crucial in ensuring these efforts are sustainable and impactful, fostering a global community of learners.