Eastern Michigan University is the first American university to accept refugee students in the fall semester

YPSILANTI, Mich. – Eastern Michigan University will welcome three refugee students to campus next fall semester, officials said.

The Ypsilanti School announced that it was the first university in the United States to agree to accept students under the Welcome corps on campus Program.

The program, launched by the U.S. Department of State and partner organizations, supports refugee students whose studies have been interrupted due to fleeing their home country.

“The Welcome Corps on Campus program provides students with a pathway to citizenship while enabling them to complete their degree at American universities,” said university President James Smith in a press release. “We are committed to providing life-changing educational opportunities for refugee students. Our efforts reflect the university’s ‘All Are Welcome Here’ campaign, which celebrates the inclusivity of the EMU community.”

The EMU Board of Regents gave the green light to the program during its meeting on World Refugee Day (June 20).

The study places are allocated by the students after an intensive application and selection process and they must meet the university’s admission requirements.

“Both President Smith and I have attended numerous Presidents’ Alliance meetings and webinars and have always found the group to be extremely valuable as we seek to expand our global presence and be a welcoming place for students from around the world,” said General Counsel Lauren London.

“We are pleased to report that EMU is one of only 18 universities nationwide participating in the Welcome Corps on Campus program in its inaugural year, and we are the very first university to accept students through this program. This year, we have been assigned three students who have been in contact with the admissions office and academic advisors as part of their course registration process.”

EMU’s participation in the Welcome Corps on Campus program is financially supported by the New Future Fund through the EMU Foundation.