At the recent Harrisonburg City/EMU Liaison Committee meeting, the spotlight shone on the vital role of Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) in supporting local immigrants through its English learning programs. Participants highlighted the challenges faced by community organizations like Scotland Literacy, which has recently suffered funding cuts, impacting their ability to assist immigrants in learning English.

One committee member emphasized EMU's reputation, stating, "EMU has one of the best English programs in the area," and urged local organizations to connect with the university to leverage its resources. The intensive English program at EMU has a proven track record, with graduates successfully continuing their education at various universities across Virginia.

The discussion also featured personal success stories, including one participant who shared their recent acceptance into a PhD program, crediting EMU's supportive faculty for their academic journey. This sentiment was echoed by others who praised the university's commitment to understanding and accommodating diverse backgrounds, reinforcing the importance of EMU's programs in fostering educational opportunities for immigrants.

As the meeting concluded, the call for collaboration between EMU and local organizations was clear, with hopes that increased partnerships could enhance support for the immigrant community in Harrisonburg. The committee's discussions underscored the critical need for accessible English learning resources, especially in light of recent funding challenges faced by local literacy programs.