The FGS known as 1st Gen Immigrant Help Center, together with its affiliated colleges, has created a database of successful strategies in immigrant education and workforce development. The case studies included in this document leverage the expertise and insights of various member colleges nationwide, offering community college administrators, staff, faculty, and students a chance to learn from each other, exchange innovative ideas, and enhance their programs to better support immigrant, refugee, and undocumented students.
The case studies outline particular programs, the student groups they support, community partnerships, elements that contribute to success, obstacles encountered, results, and sources of funding. They also address key concepts such as what is a first-generation immigrant, providing context to better understand the challenges and opportunities faced by this group. Multiple colleges have created guides and other valuable materials, which are featured in these case studies. We urge community college educators and their various collaborators to utilize these case studies as effective examples of change and as a means to assess their organization’s advancement in the areas of immigrant education and workforce development.
For almost 20 years, the Brackenridge and Harlandale Education and Training Centers have been at the forefront of the Alamo Colleges District (ACD) in offering direct support to undocumented student Dreamers and their families, all within a friendly, welcoming, and bilingual (English/Spanish) setting. Acting as a bridge between the ACD and its immigrant student population, the Centers facilitate initial enrollment services such as admissions, financial aid, basic skills evaluations, career exploration, and registration for academic and workforce training programs, including GED and vocational ESL classes.
Dutchess Community College, NY
The Consortium for Undocumented Students is a united effort that connects different departments to assist undocumented and DACA students, as well as those considering enrollment, without regard to their citizenship status. This partnership offers various support services and informational resources for students, faculty, staff, and community members, while also addressing systemic obstacles to enhance access and educational achievement for undocumented students at DCC.
The Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) program, part of the Transitional Studies department, provides students with both literacy education and workforce skills at the same time. In addition to its professional and technical programs in fields like Business, Manufacturing, Health Sciences, IT, and Early Childhood Education, the Transitional Studies department has expanded its I-BEST offerings to include English and Math courses. Furthermore, the department works closely with the Center for Diversity and Equity, including support from its DACA student navigator.
Highline College, WA
The Puget Sound Welcome Back Center (PSWBC) is one of ten centers affiliated with the national Welcome Back Initiative, which aims to assist internationally trained individuals in getting recertified to work in the United States. Founded in 2008, the PSWBC initially targeted healthcare professionals but expanded its services in 2014 to include support for those in other sectors such as STEM, business, and education.
Lake Washington Institute of Technology, WA
The I-BEST program, which combines basic education with skills training, has broadened to offer more professional and technical choices, as well as pre-college courses that emphasize math and English, in addition to academic I-BEST options. LWTech has structured its 41 areas of study into 10 schools, each offering at least one I-BEST program. At present, a considerable number of students in LWTech’s basic education and I-BEST programs are English language learners.
Miami Dade College, FL
The Foreign Trained Professionals program serves as a comprehensive resource for individuals holding foreign academic qualifications who wish to advance their careers in the United States. The program offers academic assistance and support for both credit and non-credit students aiming for recognition of their foreign degrees, as well as help with licensing and certification courses and finding opportunities that facilitate a rapid re-entry into their professional fields.
Miami Dade College, FL.
The REFUGE/Entrant Vocational Educational Services Training (REVEST) program provides a comprehensive selection of adult English language and vocational training courses, available for both credit and non-credit. These courses are designed to improve the employment opportunities for adult refugees, Cuban and Haitian entrants, political asylees, victims of severe trafficking, and Amerasians in Miami-Dade County. Additionally, the program provides academic assessments, long-term guidance, referrals to legal and employment services, subsidies for transportation and childcare, as well as help with translating and evaluating foreign credentials.
Montgomery College, MD
WorkPlus+ offers introductory English courses that emphasize career exploration, the workplace, and essential ideas in various job sectors, such as healthcare and construction. It provides labor market credentials along designated career paths in areas like Apartment Leasing Professional, Apartment Maintenance Technician, Child Development Associate, CompTIA A+, Geriatric Nursing Assistant, and Electrocardiogram.
Northern Essex Community College, MA
PIÉS Latinos collaborates with immigrant professionals from any country, aiding them in transferring their academic credits to higher education institutions in the U.S. The program supports those who began their education overseas and wish to complete it in the U.S., as well as individuals seeking to pursue a different field of study or enter the job market directly. It also offers assistance with obtaining state licensure for specific careers.
Northern Virginia Community College, VA
The Part-Time Career Readiness program, part of the college’s American Culture and Language Institute, provides courses aimed at enhancing work-related English skills for immigrant students or preparing them for NOVA Workforce programs in healthcare, IT, and business. Additionally, the program fosters the development of students’ soft skills in teamwork and intercultural communication through units focused on cross-cultural collaboration.
Pima Community College, AZ
The Refugee Education Program provides English Language Training (ELT) to refugees, asylees, and holders of Special Immigrant Visas who have been in the United States for under five years. The curriculum is designed to be relevant to employment and highlights the language and culture used in the workplace. ELT classes feature lessons designed for the Health, Business/Information Technology (IT), or Applied Technology sectors, assisting students in exploring career options and preparing for the workforce. Moreover, students have access to the guidance of college and career navigators, along with a Student Success Coach..
Pima Community College, AZ
Crossing to U.S. Workforce program is currently conducted on an as-needed basis and offers workshops aimed at highly skilled immigrants and refugees. These workshops address the U.S. job culture and working practices, covering topics such as creating a professional biography, conducting elevator pitches, writing cover letters and resumes, practicing interview skills, and understanding relevant U.S. employment laws for both employees and employers.
Portland Community College, OR
Integrated Education and Training Career Pathways offer a streamlined opportunity for non-native English speakers, immigrants, GED students, and individuals in developmental education to enhance their academic, language, and job skills simultaneously. Students participate in a contextualized remediation course while enrolled in their college classes to achieve a Career Pathway credential. This approach also includes work-based learning, effective student support strategies, and collaborations with community organizations and workforce agencies.
South Texas College, TX.
The Integrated Career Pathways program enables immigrant students who are not fully prepared (with low skills and literacy) and lack a high school diploma or High School Equivalency (HSE) to move from contextualized ESL courses into credit-earning postsecondary vocational programs while also obtaining an HSE certificate and improving their basic literacy skills.