By Katie Workman

SALT LAKE CITY — Young refugees have opinions and insight to share, but cultural and linguistic barriers, trauma and time constraints often mean their voices aren't heard in traditional classrooms. So the University of Utah set out to create a space just for them.

A unique program offers refugees from junior high through early college years an opportunity to build confidence, communication skills and pathways to higher education. It's been so effective that multiple parents have reported their kids are more confident, communicative and excited — both at home and at school.

It all began during the Spring of 2020, when the U.'s Department of Communication passed an anti-racist code of conduct, which aimed to improve outreach to communities underrepresented in higher education.

Given Utah's long history of welcoming refugees and high numbers of resettlement in recent years, refugee outreach was a natural consideration.

Professor Michael Middleton, a former debate coach at the U. who is now an assistant dean in the College of Humanities, suggested a debate league for refugees.

Professor Suhi Choi, associate communication department chairwoman and a professor whose work focuses on immigrant experiences, then reached out to the Department of Workforce Services, which enthusiastically supported the idea.

Why debate?

"Debate is a learning laboratory," said Jeannie Hunt, professor and current head coach of the University of Utah's John R. Park Debate Society. "You present knowledge to students, and then you give them the opportunity to use that knowledge in some sort of context like a debate round. Then you give them critical feedback that they can turn around and apply and try again.

"It also uniquely gives students an opportunity to research problems or issues that are very important to them, and have a place to voice their concerns or voice their ideas and their solutions to problems that they see every day that they maybe don't get in a traditional classroom," she added.

https://www.ksl.com/article/50860078/debate-league-for-refugees-offers-scholarships-pathways-to-higher-education