Research project

Refugee and Displaced Learners' Access to U.S. Higher Education

I study how refugee resettlement, immigration, and higher education policies intersect to structure educational opportunity for displaced people: refugees, asylees, parolees, Temporary Protected Status holders, and Special Immigrant Visa holders. This work follows policy from federal resettlement priorities, through the colleges and nonprofits that interpret it, to the learners who navigate it.

Funded by the William T. Grant Foundation and the University of Maryland Institute for Clinical and Translational Research.

Ishara Casellas Connors presenting focus group and staff interview findings at Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area
Sharing findings from 82 focus group participants and 22 staff interviews with Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area.

Publications

* Student co-author

Reports and public writing

Resources for learners and practitioners

A webinar series for refugees and the practitioners who support them, with tools and community connections for navigating higher education.