JMU works to be a compassionate partner in refugee resettlement and officially became a member of Every Campus A Refuge (ECAR) in 2023. ECAR was founded by Dr. Diya Abdo at Guilford College and calls on colleges and universities to partner with local refugee resettlement agencies to house refugees on campus and assist them in resettlement.  

JMU is grateful to be part of the ECAR network and to partner with Church World Service and regional community partners to support refugee families as they acclimate to the area. The connections also offer transformative learning experiences for students as they connect, serve, and learn across borders and cultures.  

Welcome Corps on Campus 

JMU was accepted into Welcome Corps on Campus, a U.S. Department of State program that began in 2023. The program is a first-of-its-kind program that aims to help refugee students access higher education and resettlement.  

JMU will be among the first institutions participating in Welcome Corps on Campus to admit qualified refugee students and support their resettlement as new Americans. The first two students will arrive for the fall 2024 semester.