Building Professional Pathways for New Americans: The National Conference on Refugee Professional Recertification

Kellogg Center of Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
June 22–23, 2009

Make plans now to attend the National Conference on Recertification. The first of its kind, this conference will focus on the specific issues related to professional retraining, job-seeking and recertification for refugees resettling in the United States.

Each year foreign-trained educators, physicians, nurses, engineers and other professionals work to reclaim their careers in the United States. With the current refugee crisis in Iraq, a new wave of foreign-trained professionals is settling in communities across the country. They have a strong desire to contribute their skills to the U.S. workforce but find it difficult, expensive and time-consuming to obtain the required qualifications.

In a time of economic crisis their situation—and the task of those who work with them—is extremely challenging. Refugee resettlement personnel, refugees, employment specialists, educators, employers and others who want to see New Americans integrate into the U.S. workforce will want to attend and participate in the conference.

Designed to include coalition-building and strategy sessions as well as educational workshops, the conference will provide opportunities to engage with experts in the field and work together to create solutions to the challenges of recertification. Click here for the conference agenda.

Register here: Click here to download form

Present at this Conference -- Call for Papers due March 20

Networking Opportunities

Dine Arounds—Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant with other conference attendees.  Participants are responsible for the cost of their own meal and should meet at the restaurant of their choice at 7p.m., Monday, June 22.  Reservations will be under “RefugeeWorks.” A listing of restaurant options will be included with your conference materials.

Spontaneous Networking—We’ll provide a special meeting room with tables, chairs and refreshments throughout the conference so you can get together with people you meet—any time that's right for you.

Job Fair—A Michigan-focused job fair for employers and refugee professionals will take place in Detroit on June 24.

Conference Facilities and Lodging

Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center at Michigan State University

Special Conference Room Rate: $90/night
Reserve a room by calling 1-800-875-5090.
Ask for the REFUGEEWORKS rate.

Travel

Airports
There is a regional airport in East Lansing with flights operating from Detroit and Chicago O’Hare.

Bishop International Airport in Flint is about 50 miles from East Lansing

Detroit Metro Airport is about 90 miles from East Lansing

Shuttle Service
Michigan Flyer operates a shuttle from Detroit to East Lansing for $25 each way.
 
Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center operates a free shuttle from the East Lansing airport and the University Place Marriott, where the Michigan Flyer station is located.

Driving Directions
click here for driving directions to our training facility, the Kellogg Center at MSU.

Area Information

Lansing

Michigan State University

Detroit

The Lansing City Pulse   

The Lansing State Journal

The Detroit Metro Times