Goodwin University and the University of Bridgeport (UB) announced today they have committed to assisting recent Afghan refugees coming to Connecticut.
In a letter sent to President Biden yesterday, the two universities offered support in the form of housing, assistance with language skills, and work and career programs for Afghan refugees, beginning immediately. UB has committed the use of a 140-bed dormitory that is not currently occupied by students to house refugees on a temporary basis.
“It has been heartbreaking to see the photos and video of Afghans desperate to find passage to America that have filled the news this week, and we feel a deep sense of responsibility to assist however we can,” said Mark Scheinberg, president of Goodwin University. “If we have learned anything from the recent challenges of the pandemic, it is that we all need to look out for one another, and we quickly realized we could help.”
In addition to housing, UB is offering several programs to help Afghan refugees assimilate to life in America. UB’s English Language Institute provides non-native English speakers with intensive basic language and applied English language skills. The University also houses several work and professional career programs that can help to place refugees in jobs as quickly as possible so they can begin to build a new life in the U.S.
“UB has a long history of serving international students in a diverse, accepting and supportive environment,” said Danielle Wilken, Ed.D., president of the University of Bridgeport. “This along with our other capabilities puts us in a unique position to support these refugees right now, during the time when they need it most as they begin to carve out new lives in America.”
Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.