Colorado College has joined a new sponsorship initiative to support a sustainable education pathway for refugee students as they begin their studies in the United States.

The Welcome Corps on Campus enables colleges and universities to play a leading role in resettling refugee students who were forced to flee their homes and leave behind the communities they’d built. A first-of-its kind program launched in January 2023, the Welcome Corps on Campus links higher education access to resettlement through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), which provides a path to permanent legal status in the U.S.

Colorado College is one of 144 diverse institutions that have expressed support for the program, which leverages the capacity of U.S. higher education institutions to serve as resettlement spaces and academic opportunities for refugee students, foster more diverse and inclusive campuses, and create a sustainable opportunity for colleges and universities to welcome refugee students on their campuses. Campus Private Sponsor Groups consisting of staff, faculty, and students will welcome refugee students and provide them with a softer landing, a supportive community, and set them up for academic and overall success.