HCC In The News...In the News Home | News Archives |
|
|
| |
HCC to Host Immigration ForumMike Russo Housatonic Community College and the West Indian American Association of Greater Bridgeport (WIAAGB) will be hosting the 6th annual Immigration Forum on Saturday May 14. The initiative is collaboration between the HCC admissions department and the WIAAGB and will educate international students about issues of immigration reform in Connecticut. “The purpose is to disseminate information to students and the community about Immigration Naturalization Services,” said Delores Curtis, HCC Director of Admissions . “This ties in with the colleges need to address the concerns of international students at HCC. That’s why the Forum is mandatory for our students with F-1 Visas,” she added. Topics of the immigration forum will include The Dream Act, updates on INS regulations, Connecticut’s viewpoint on INS reform, change of status and programs, extension, and employment. The forum will consist of speakers, group discussions about current immigration issues facing international students, and a question and answer segment. Speakers will include Deloris Curtis, Byron Crosdale, Vice President, WIAAGB, and Pam Williams, Communications Director, WIAAGB. Panelists participating in the group discussion will be immigration attorneys Renee Redman, Director of Immigration Services- International Institute of Bridgeport, Robert Maresca, Bridgeport, and Margeret Jordon-Addo, Barrister Law Group, Bridgeport. HCC is the only one of the 12 community colleges in Connecticut to host such an event. In recent years the event has shown an increase in attendance. “Each year, as more information becomes available, attendance grows. It is very effective,” said Curtis. The Immigration Forum will take place in HCC Performing Arts Center between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Refreshments will be provided by the WIAAG. The forum is open to students and the community. Anyone interested in immigration affairs is encouraged to attend this informative event. With an eight-year old campus in the heart of Connecticut’s largest city, Housatonic is one of the country’s fastest-growing public community colleges. Since it moved to the new downtown campus in 1997, Housatonic’s enrollment has increased 77 percent. According to the most recent statistics released by the Washington D.C- based American Association of Community Colleges, Housatonic was the Northeast’s second fastest-growing community college and its fastest-growing in terms of full-time students. In response to increased enrollments and changing workplace needs both regionally and nationally, Housatonic has increased the number of programs offered from 43 to 63 since moving to its new campus. The college is located in downtown Bridgeport a block from the Arena at Harbor Yard. PICTURE CAPTION: HCC Director of Admissions Delores Curtis and HCC international student review federal immigration document requirements for fall registration.
Anson C. Smith
|
||||
|
||||