In a 2023 virtual conversation hosted by the White House Executive Office of the President, Leon Botstein, President of Bard College, emerged as a critical voice in higher education’s approach to refugee support. Addressing college leaders across the nation, Botstein underscored the importance of opening doors to displaced students, emphasizing the significant role they play in enriching campus culture and global understanding.
Under Botstein’s leadership, Bard College has welcomed its first cohort of refugee students through the Welcome Corps on Campus initiative. This program, backed by the U.S. Department of State, aims to integrate refugee students into American colleges, offering them a pathway to citizenship and a chance to rebuild their lives. Botstein, himself a former refugee, highlighted the transformative impact of such programs, both for the students and the educational institutions that host them.
Bard College’s commitment to supporting refugee students is longstanding. Currently, the institution hosts over 208 displaced students across its campuses in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York City, and even internationally at Bard College Berlin. This initiative aligns with the college’s broader mission to foster civic engagement and cultural diversity, principles that Botstein champions.
The Welcome Corps on Campus is a testament to Botstein’s belief in the power of education as a tool for social change. By leveraging the existing infrastructure of U.S. higher education, the program provides refugee students with the academic and social support they need to thrive. Through this effort, Bard College not only fulfills its educational mission but also contributes to a more inclusive and compassionate society.
Beyond Bard, Leon Botstein’s involvement in such programs sets a precedent for other academic institutions. His leadership demonstrates a tangible model of how colleges can actively participate in global humanitarian efforts, thus reinforcing the essential role that education plays in shaping a better world.