Southern New Hampshire University will soon open a new center to help refugees and immigrants in Manchester further their educations.
The center will operate in partnership with YWCA NH. The project involves an estimated $100,000 in renovations and $40,000 to upgrade IT infrastructure. It will include new study and conference rooms, a renovated gymnasium and new laptops for online study.
SNHU President Paul LeBlanc says the program will offer cultural orientation and mentorship along with college prep and college level courses.
“The pathway to future job security seems uncertain in a world of automation and globalization and technology, and I think they are particularly daunting for people who are still trying to navigate the basics of our culture and our society,” LeBlanc said. It's set to open before the year ends.
The University also has a program helping refugees in Africa get college degrees. It’s working to expand to the nation of Lebanon this fall.