Grant will support an emergency fund to help students address life challenges that may interfere with their education.
Manchester, NH (February 16, 2021) – Today, the Peregrine Global Foundation announced its second commitment to support Southern New Hampshire University’s (SNHU) Global Education Movement (GEM) refugee students. With this support, GEM will create an emergency fund for students who face challenges outside of the classroom that interfere with access to higher education, such as a lack of transportation or internet connectivity.
“We are excited to partner with the Peregrine Global Foundation on this student-centered initiative,” said Chrystina Russell, Senior Vice President, SNHU and Executive Director of GEM. “Too often, the inability to secure food due to a COVID-related job loss or psychological stress related to the pandemic can mean the difference between our students completing their coursework or falling behind in their studies. We’re excited to leverage these funds to directly support our students who may need emergency resources to continue their education.”
Founded in 2017, SNHU GEM is the first large-scale online learning initiative for refugees, serving nearly 1,000 learners across five countries. Through GEM, SNHU partners with in-country organizations to deliver high-quality, low-cost education that is tailored to meet the needs of displaced learners. Today, 90% of GEM students are on track to graduate in four years, compared with 95% pre-pandemic.
The Peregrine Global Foundation was founded in 2018 to help develop the next generation of leaders by helping them pursue higher education. Since that time, the Foundation has partnered with both institutions of higher education and community service organizations to address the barriers to quality education and leadership development.
“Our Foundation works to support young leaders by removing barriers to higher education,” said Laurel Vicklund, President of the Peregrine Global Foundation. “When GEM shared that there was a constant need to obtain emergency resources for a variety of life issues, we were excited to step in and help. We are proud to be a contributor to this worthwhile cause.”
Global Education Movement
The Global Education Movement (GEM) is a major Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) initiative offering university degrees to refugees around the world. Created in 2017, GEM is the first large-scale online learning initiative for refugees, partnering with in-country organizations to deliver high-quality, low-cost education tailored to meet the needs of displaced learners.
Peregrine Global Foundation
The Peregrine Global Foundation was formed in 2018 by Dr. Olin Oedekoven and Laurel Vicklund with the goal of developing values-based leaders and improving the quality of higher education throughout the world. The Foundation has generously supported the following mission-aligned endeavors: Houston Independent School District, Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund, Metrocrest Services of Dallas, Gillette College Foundation, and Southern New Hampshire University’s Global Education Movement.
Media Contacts
Lauren Keane
Assistant Vice President of Communications
Southern New Hampshire University
General Inquires, Peregrine Global Foundation
