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Course detail: The World Comes to Lawrence: U.S. Immigration and Refugee Stories
The course presents a history of immigration in the U.S. with emphasis on efforts in the Lawrence community to support immigrants and refugees in the resettlement process. We'll share case studies of immigrant stories, discuss how changes to current immigration laws impact the resettlement efforts in Lawrence today and get a chance to meet new refugee immigrants to the U.S. to hear their personal journey stories.
Instructor Bio: Chuck Olcese is president of Assistance for Immigrants and Refugees, a nonprofit organization in Lawrence, Kansas, dedicated to the resettlement of refugees and other immigrants in the area. He has trained in intercultural communication and presented workshops on these skills at numerous institutions. Chuck and his wife were among the first Americans to teach English in China from 1985 - 1986. This experience launched his career in international student services in higher education - a 33-year career spanning four institutions in four states. Before his retirement from the University of Kansas, Chuck founded Lawrence Interfaith Refugee and Immigrant Ministry (LIRIM), a communication network to facilitate assistance, advocacy and awareness of immigrants and immigrant issues in the area. Since his retirement, he helped co-found AIR in 2023. AIR has resettled three families in the Lawrence area since November 2024 and continues to help connect Lawrence residents with their new neighbors from Afghanistan and Venezuela, as well as to advocate for immigrant rights.
Course Accessibility: Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend University of Kansas sponsored events. If you require reasonable accommodations in order to participate in an event, please email jayhawkglobal@ku.edu or call 785-864-6779 at least three weeks before the first day of the event.
Course pre-requisites
(required) Osher Membership Fee
Instructor Bio: Chuck Olcese is president of Assistance for Immigrants and Refugees, a nonprofit organization in Lawrence, Kansas, dedicated to the resettlement of refugees and other immigrants in the area. He has trained in intercultural communication and presented workshops on these skills at numerous institutions. Chuck and his wife were among the first Americans to teach English in China from 1985 - 1986. This experience launched his career in international student services in higher education - a 33-year career spanning four institutions in four states. Before his retirement from the University of Kansas, Chuck founded Lawrence Interfaith Refugee and Immigrant Ministry (LIRIM), a communication network to facilitate assistance, advocacy and awareness of immigrants and immigrant issues in the area. Since his retirement, he helped co-found AIR in 2023. AIR has resettled three families in the Lawrence area since November 2024 and continues to help connect Lawrence residents with their new neighbors from Afghanistan and Venezuela, as well as to advocate for immigrant rights.
An Osher membership fee of $25 is required to enroll in this class. If you have not paid your membership fee, please click on the blue link below under "course accessibility" to add the membership fee to your shopping cart. Then continue shopping to select your courses and/or events. If you have questions about whether or not you have paid your member fee, please call 785-864-6779.
Course Accessibility: Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend University of Kansas sponsored events. If you require reasonable accommodations in order to participate in an event, please email jayhawkglobal@ku.edu or call 785-864-6779 at least three weeks before the first day of the event.
(required) Osher Membership Fee
