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Reframing Higher Education for Refugees: Pathways, Policies, and Community Cultural Wealth.

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Title: Reframing Higher Education for Refugees: Pathways, Policies, and Community Cultural Wealth.
Authors: Casellas Connors, Ishara (AUTHOR), Evans, Kerri (AUTHOR), Unangst, Lisa (AUTHOR), Chunga-Pizarro, Sofia (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Higher Education. 2026, Vol. 97 Issue 3, p546-570. 25p.
Subjects: Refugees, Higher education, Cultural capital, Educational equalization, Social mobility, Neoliberalism, Forced migration, Reforms
Geographic Terms: United States
Abstract: Postsecondary education for refugees has gained traction, notably through the UN Refugee Agency's "15 by 30" initiative aimed at achieving 15% refugee enrollment in postsecondary education by 2030. The study explores the neoliberal framework guiding US resettlement policies, which emphasize rapid employment and often limit refugees to low-skilled, low-wage jobs, thereby undervaluing their educational aspirations and potential contributions. It highlights the pivotal role of resettlement agencies in shaping refugees' access to higher education, influencing their information and resource accessibility. The study employs the Community Cultural Wealth (CCW) framework to redefine refugees as resource-rich individuals navigating structural barriers rather than passive recipients of aid. Drawing on empirical data from focus groups conducted with a resettlement agency in the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. area, complemented by survey data, this mixed-methods study underscores refugees' agency and resilience in pursuing postsecondary education. It contributes theoretically by challenging deficit-oriented perspectives and advocating for policy shifts that foster educational equity and social mobility among displaced populations. The findings aim to inform scholarly discourse and policy reform efforts, positioning higher education as a crucial pathway for refugee integration and empowerment in the US and central to the global agenda for refugee access to higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Higher Education is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: Reframing Higher Education for Refugees: Pathways, Policies, and Community Cultural Wealth.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Refugees%22">Refugees</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Higher+education%22">Higher education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cultural+capital%22">Cultural capital</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+equalization%22">Educational equalization</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+mobility%22">Social mobility</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Neoliberalism%22">Neoliberalism</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Forced+migration%22">Forced migration</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reforms%22">Reforms</searchLink>
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  Data: Postsecondary education for refugees has gained traction, notably through the UN Refugee Agency's "15 by 30" initiative aimed at achieving 15% refugee enrollment in postsecondary education by 2030. The study explores the neoliberal framework guiding US resettlement policies, which emphasize rapid employment and often limit refugees to low-skilled, low-wage jobs, thereby undervaluing their educational aspirations and potential contributions. It highlights the pivotal role of resettlement agencies in shaping refugees' access to higher education, influencing their information and resource accessibility. The study employs the Community Cultural Wealth (CCW) framework to redefine refugees as resource-rich individuals navigating structural barriers rather than passive recipients of aid. Drawing on empirical data from focus groups conducted with a resettlement agency in the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. area, complemented by survey data, this mixed-methods study underscores refugees' agency and resilience in pursuing postsecondary education. It contributes theoretically by challenging deficit-oriented perspectives and advocating for policy shifts that foster educational equity and social mobility among displaced populations. The findings aim to inform scholarly discourse and policy reform efforts, positioning higher education as a crucial pathway for refugee integration and empowerment in the US and central to the global agenda for refugee access to higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Higher Education is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=193276912
RecordInfo BibRecord:
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        Value: 10.1080/00221546.2025.2463856
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 25
        StartPage: 546
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      – SubjectFull: Refugees
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Higher education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Cultural capital
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational equalization
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      – SubjectFull: Social mobility
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Neoliberalism
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Forced migration
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Reforms
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: United States
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Reframing Higher Education for Refugees: Pathways, Policies, and Community Cultural Wealth.
        Type: main
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          Name:
            NameFull: Casellas Connors, Ishara
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            NameFull: Evans, Kerri
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            NameFull: Unangst, Lisa
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            NameFull: Chunga-Pizarro, Sofia
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            – D: 01
              M: 05
              Text: 2026
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              Y: 2026
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