SpanTran Attends Workshop Focusing on Admitting Vulnerable Students to U.S. Campuses

As an evaluation organization, it's important for us here at SpanTran: TEC to stay up-to-date on information related to international regulations and policies that impact our clients and our processes. Our staff often lead and attend workshops, seminars, and other training sessions to both, teach and learn from our fellow professionals. One such event was the Best Practices in Admitting Vulnerable Students to U.S. Campuses workshop, which took place in October of this year in New York City. This workshop put forth the often-overlooked topic of international regulations and higher education in emergency situations, specifically concerning students of refugee status.

The American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), is a non-profit association of over 11,000 higher education professionals who represent approximately 2,600 institutions in more than 40 countries. Partnering with the Institute of International Education (IIE), AACRAO  created this workshop to educate organizations involved in the international admissions process aiming to improve their practices pertaining to students that are vulnerable and/or displaced. Thanks to this workshop, we had a first-hand glimpse into the many hardships that students in hostile situations endure just to apply for university admission. Today, of the 68 million refugees in the world, only one percent have access to a higher education, in comparison to a global average of 34 percent.

To alleviate the burden on vulnerable students, this workshop not only provided a better perspective on this issue, but it also offered insight as to how evaluation services, university admissions offices, international legal aid, and other communities can get involved to provide easier access to higher education. We learned that there are multiple programs available for refugee students to receive access and support for higher education. SpanTran: TEC is committed to our students and our university partners. We support diversity and equal access to a higher education for all, including the most vulnerable students from around the world.

For more information on how you can get involved and support funding for this cause, please visit this website. We hope to see you at similar events in the future!