Houghton College Buffalo offers refugee students a chance to learn in an environment tailored to each student’s individual needs.
Through the program, students are able to study in their own neighborhoods, in a learning community that offers individual attention, small class sizes, and a curriculum tailored to develop English language and other skills needed for the workplace.
The program just began its second fall semester, and enrollment numbers are growing.
In August, New York State approved the program as an official extension center of Houghton College. The extension site serves a diverse and growing international community, which includes many immigrant and refugee families.
“While other Christian colleges serve refugee and immigrant students in their urban programs,” commented academic dean, Linda Mills Woolsey, “I do not know of any other program that has worked so intentionally with refugee communities and churches to design a program tailored to the needs of a specific community.”
Over the course of this school year, the program will launch internships for their students. Beginning in the spring, 12 of the second-year students will have the opportunity to participate in an off-campus internship, which will give students hands on experience, tailored to their particular interests.
“We hope that what we’ve learned in our program will be a model for others, since Buffalo, New York is not the only urban center with a growing immigrant, refugee community,” said Mills-Woolsey. “It is clear that the work we are doing here meets one of the world’s deep needs in a way that embodies the Wesleyan commitment to the useful work of the Holy Spirit.”
The educational opportunity this program provides is meeting the needs of many new Americans on Buffalo’s West Side. “Houghton is providing basic educational opportunities for these people in a hands-on way that enhances their chances of success,” commented Cameron Airhart, Dean of Houghton College Buffalo.
According to Mills-Woolsey, when Houghton began this program, some of Houghton College Buffalo’s regional neighbors needed to be convinced the school would be offering something unique and would not just be stealing their students.
Mills-Woolsey recognized President Mullen, Dr. Airhart, and friends of Houghton College as they worked hard within the program. Their hard work has helped leaders of other colleges see Houghton College Buffalo’s Christian grounding, focus on English language learners, and unique learning community.
Moreover, “Houghton College Buffalo benefits Houghton by fulfilling the college’s core mission to make high-quality Christian liberal arts education accessible to students from diverse backgrounds and to prepare them for leadership in their communities, churches, and workplaces,” commented Mills Woolsey.
According to Mills Woolsey, the program is financially self-sustaining and returns revenue to the general budget in a way that benefits the main campus. Airhart confirmed, the location is currently enrolling 33 students; and as the student body expands, class sizes retain their small structure.
As this unique program expands, it is seeing success with students traditionally viewed as at-risk or high-risk.
According to Airhart, Houghton College’s 81% graduation rate among associate’s-degree-seeking students far surpasses the national average of 3 percent.
“We focus on economically and culturally disadvantaged students and we are committed to a high-quality, focused education delivered within the means of our funding sources, which do not include student debt,” said Airhart.
As explained by Mills Woolsey, many young people in these communities are working to learn English, often as a third or fourth language, and some are seeking to regain academic ground after war or geographic displacement disrupted their education.
“By helping these students achieve their educational goals and preparing them for employment, the program also benefits their Buffalo communities,” commented Mills-Woolsey.
