Greater Dubuque Staff Takes on Leadership Role in International Student Retention Efforts
Greater Dubuque Development recognizes college student retention as a pivotal workforce development strategy, essential to meeting the demands of our employer partners for a skilled workforce. When students complete their education and integrate into the Greater Dubuque region’s workforce, they become drivers of innovation, productivity, and economic growth. This significance amplifies for international students, who bring diverse perspectives, global networks, and foster cultural exchange. Investing in college student retention, particularly international students, is therefore a strategic imperative that not only benefits educational institutions but also nurtures a skilled and diverse workforce, enriching the broader economic ecosystem.
To address this need, Nic Hockenberry, Director of Workforce Programming at Greater Dubuque Development, is collaborating with the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque’s Better Together Committee, chairing the International Student Retention Subcommittee. The Better Together Committee, comprising over 60 stakeholders facilitated by the Community Foundation, concentrates on tackling barriers facing immigrant populations, focused particularly on international student retention. Originating from the June 2023 release of the Immigration Community Assessment—a comprehensive three-year research effort—the Committee includes representatives from local government, nonprofits, Dubuque businesses, educational institutions, religious organizations, and immigrant communities. Currently, the Committee is actively pursuing six projects identified as priorities through the assessment.
One of these priority projects is dedicated to supporting international students and facilitating their connection to local workforce opportunities. Despite the influx of talented students attracted to Dubuque’s high-quality colleges and universities, complexities surrounding work visas and programs like Optional Practical Training impede their employment prospects in local businesses. Dubuque lags in the utilization of the H1-B visa program—a significant indicator of the challenges faced by both students and employers.
Recognizing these hurdles, the Committee and the Community Foundation have partnered with the USA Labs program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management. Through this collaboration, graduate students from MIT conducted research in Dubuque, engaging with international students, university administrators, and local businesses to identify opportunities for enhancing the region’s capacity to support international students and employers eager to hire them. Expected to present their findings in May, the research team's report will guide local business leaders in implementing recommendations to address these challenges effectively.
Hockenberry, who also serves on the Fountain's Board of Directors, stressed the importance of this initiative, "Retaining international students is key to Dubuque's workforce development, fueling both economic growth and cultural enrichment. By bridging gaps in employment opportunities, we're not only strengthening our workforce but also fostering a more vibrant and globally connected community.”
For more information about regional efforts to retain international students in our market, contact Nic Hockenberry, Director of Workforce Programming at nicolash@greaterdubuque.org or 563-557-9049. To inquire about the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque's Better Together Committee, contact Alex Baum, Director of Advocacy, Data, and Learning at alex@dbqfoundation.org or 563-588-2700.
