College Going Rate among Burmese-Americans Maintained at 93.3% as the Burmese Community Continues to Grow in the US
INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 2, 2022—A study released by the Burmese American Community Institute (BACI) yesterday at its 11th Annual Research Presentation confirms the college going rate among Burmese-Americans has increased to 93.3 percent this year from 85 percent in 2017, while the population has maintained 93 percent college persistence in the past several years.
“We are delighted to see the continued success of Burmese-American students with their higher education in the United States,” said Lian Sang, Director of the Institute’s Upward College Programs which helps prepare high school students for their college readiness and success.
The study also shows that as of June 30, 2022, 182,329 Burmese refugees have been admitted to the United States since 2000. While over 40,000 Burmese individuals are residing in Indiana, nearly 27,000 of them are calling Indianapolis their new home. The overall Burmese population in the U.S. is estimated to be over 317,000.
The findings further indicated that the number of secondary migrants, who initially resettled in other cities and states across the US and later moved to Indianapolis, is also consistently found to be nearly 40% every year, with just 10,833 being primary arrivals in the city since 2000.
The researchers who present their research findings and solution oriented policy recommendations as the culmination of an intensive scientific PAR research project, said that they hope this information will help partners and decision makers as they formulate policies and allocate federal resources across the nation.
As the very purpose of the creation of the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program was to provide protection, and to give new hope for refugees, this reflects America’s historical global leadership and compassion; furthermore, since there is a rich tradition of providing humanitarian assistance and welcoming newcomers from around the world, the researchers, during their presentation, emphasized the importance of the US roles in addressing the issues.
In his remarks, BACI Executive Director Elaisa Vahnie congratulated the researchers, and thanked research advisors, parents and all partners and said, “the young leaders and scholars have not just produced an amazing research and knowledge product within such a short period of time, but they have just led us to solving some of the most pressing problems that our shared community and our world face”.
“We are grateful for the leadership of the city and the state for not only welcoming us but creating a policy environment in which everyone is treated the same and equal. The success and positive impact we are seeing today are a reflection of the collaborative partnership we have been able to forge.”
In addition to maintaining a 100% post-secondary education enrollment rate for those students who successfully completed the Upward College Programs, BACI has been working to empower new Americans through English and civic education, naturalization assistance, as well as assisting the community members with their gainful employment and microenterprise development service provisions as they are becoming fully engaged and contributing citizens.
Lisa Netsch, EL Administrator, Perry Township Schools, Brian Knight, Principal of Southport High School, Marianna Foulkrod, Director of Service-Learning & Community Engagement, and Andrew M. Kocher, Vice President for Corporate and Community Partnerships, University of Indianapolis all in their remarks praised the students’ achievements and reaffirmed their commitment to continued partnership with the BACI.
Dr. Jessica Lee, Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at IU who also co-directs BACI’s Center for Research, Policy and Innovation and advises several of the research groups said, “It’s been such a pleasure to partner with BACI and really great to see the depth of impact and just how BACI is thriving, continuing to grow, and to serve the community, and just looking forward to more partnerships”.
This year’s research topics included Adolescent Developmental Outcomes, Autism and Child Developmental Outcomes, College Going Rate and Higher Education among Burmese-American Students, College Persistence among Burmese-American Students, Community Integration and Political Participation, and the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program and Secondary Migration.
Congressional recognition by Congressman André Carson was presented to all scholars within the BACI Upward College Summer Scholars Program 2022 as well as completers of the College Prep and Leadership Development program.
The BACI summer project also estimated 600+ Burmese-Americans nationally graduated from American Colleges and Universities and 2,000 from High Schools respectively in 2022.
At the event, BACI Board Vice Chair San Thang shared the vision of the Myanmar/Burmese Community Center: a home for all ethnic groups of Myanmar (Burma) in Indianapolis and a campus to serve the community in more impactful ways. BACI Chair Dr. Ro Ding thanked all partners and supporters for their partnership and continued support. “With renewed commitment, we hope you will continue to stand with us as we put all our effort into helping the community members in becoming economically self-sufficient, integrated, and productive citizens of our global society,” said Dr. Ding.
Hosted at Southport High School, the event was attended by nearly 300 community members, faith and civic leaders, partners, including parents and representatives from various educational institutions, as well as government and nonprofit agencies.
About Burmese American Community Institute
The Burmese American Community Institute is a non-profit organization founded in 2011 that provides educational and vocational support to the Burmese community in greater Indianapolis. The BACI supports community members regionally, nationally, and globally through strategic partnerships and advocacy. Since its inception, the BACI has assisted over 17,000 individuals.
