Dr. Jihae Cha, Assistant Professor of International Education and International Affairs, received a Honey W. Nashman Center Faculty Development Grant for her project, "Integration of Afghan Students and Families in Northern Virginia: Community-engaged Approaches to Educational Inclusion."
The Nashman Faculty Development Grants promote the development of new community engaged scholarship initiatives at GW, including courses, research, creative activity, and assessment of engagement outcomes.
Dr. Cha will be collaborating with doctoral student Ayla Deniz (Ph.D. in Education, Education Policy concentration) and other students at GW's Refugee Educational Advancement Lab (REAL) throughout this project. The study investigates the structural and relational integration of Afghan students in Northern Virginia’s educational system using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach.
Engaging Afghan students, families, schools, and community-based organizations, the project explores experiences of inclusion, identifies systemic and physical barriers, and analyzes social networks to strengthen connections. It also centers families’ perspectives on school integration and needed support. Through collaboration with CBOs and school leaders, the project aims to co-develop participatory strategies that inform institutional policies and promote sustainable, community-aligned inclusion efforts rooted in equity, cultural understanding, and collective decision-making.