Learning with and from refugee-supporting organizations in upstate New York
Upstate New York has long played an outsized role in the resettlement of refugees. In 2023, more than 90 percent of all refugees who arrived in the state were resettled in Buffalo, Syracuse and Utica — cities where they often encounter limited resources and systemic barriers to integration.
PUBPOL 3050/5050: Refugee Pathways and Resettlement Policy is a community-engaged learning course that explores the challenges of supporting refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants in this region. First piloted in 2023 by instructor Julie Ficarra, it connects students, faculty and community partners in an interdisciplinary learning experience that bridges migration studies, policy analysis and hands-on collaboration with key organizations serving new arrivals.
Student teams work alongside community leaders to gain practical insights into the realities of refugee resettlement and policymaking while applying their learning to real-world challenges. Mentorship through guest speakers, on-site workshops with organizations and consultations culminates in the Refugee Pathways Symposium, where students present their projects to community stakeholders, hear from a high-level policy maker in a keynote address and continue to strengthen local ties around refugee resettlement.
Learning with and from refugee-supporting organizations in upstate New York
Upstate New York has long played an outsized role in the resettlement of refugees. In 2023, more than 90 percent of all refugees who arrived in the state were resettled in Buffalo, Syracuse and Utica — cities where they often encounter limited resources and systemic barriers to integration.
PUBPOL 3050/5050: Refugee Pathways and Resettlement Policy is a community-engaged learning course that explores the challenges of supporting refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants in this region. First piloted in 2023 by instructor Julie Ficarra, it connects students, faculty and community partners in an interdisciplinary learning experience that bridges migration studies, policy analysis and hands-on collaboration with key organizations serving new arrivals.
Student teams work alongside community leaders to gain practical insights into the realities of refugee resettlement and policymaking while applying their learning to real-world challenges. Mentorship through guest speakers, on-site workshops with organizations and consultations culminates in the Refugee Pathways Symposium, where students present their projects to community stakeholders, hear from a high-level policy maker in a keynote address and continue to strengthen local ties around refugee resettlement.
- Julie Ficarra, Brooks School of Public Policy
- Kathryn Fiorella, Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine
- Maria Cristina Garcia, Department of History, College of Arts and Sciences
- Oumar Ba, Department of Government, College of Arts and Sciences
- Rebecca Slayton, Department of Science and Technology Studies, College of Arts and Sciences
- Thamora Fishel, Einaudi Center for International Studies
- Mark Holton, Athletics and Physical Education – Cornell Outdoor Education
- Community Partners: Refugee and Immigrant Self-Empowerment, The Center, Catholic Charities of Onondaga County – Northside CYO , Interfaith Works – Center for New Americans, Journey’s End Refugee Services, Ithaca Welcomes Refugees
Providing seed support for a wide range of community-engaged learning projects