About the event:

WES Global Talent Bridge, Upwardly Global, and the National Council for Workforce Education (NCWE) collaborated in the webinar "Unlocking Global Talent and Expanding Opportunities Through Community College Initiatives." In this webinar, WES’ Debra Means-West moderated a conversation between Upwardly Global’s Emily Logo and Teresita Wisell from SUNY Westchester Community College and NCWE. The panelists discussed ways to address the challenges faced by the more than 2 million college-educated immigrants who experience under- and unemployment in the United States. They also explored the vital role community colleges play in championing workforce inclusion efforts and in connecting immigrant and refugee students to career opportunities.

Presenters

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DEBRA MEANS-WEST - MODERATOR

Director of Network and Resource Development, WES Global Talent Bridge

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EMILY LOGO

National Partnership Director, Upwardly Global

Emily leads Upwardly Global's Partnerships initiative, seeking to scale the organization's model and coaching tools to help build toward a more inclusive, equitable workforce. Emily brings diverse cross-sector experience — from nonprofit organizations to Fortune 100 companies — leading interdisciplinary solutions at the intersection of economic opportunity, education, and migration. Prior to joining Upwardly Global, Emily helped found and grow Upward Academy, the largest public-private partnership between adult education and business in the U.S., delivering workplace education programming on-site for thousands of frontline employees. Her previous roles include Program Manager and American Dream Fellow with the Cisneros Center for New Americans, and Research Consultant with Welcoming America. Emily holds a master’s degree in urban planning from Cornell University and a BA in International Affairs from The New School. Emily is passionate about building coalitions of unlikely partners for the advancement of social equity.

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TERESITA WISELL

Vice President of Workforce Development and Community, Education (WDCE), SUNY Westchester Community College

Teresita (Tere) Wisell serves as Vice President of Workforce Development and Community Education (WDCE) at SUNY Westchester Community College. The division houses programs and services that support workforce development, English as a Second Language, and lifelong learning programs to over 12,000 residents annually in Westchester and the surrounding region. From 2008 through 2022, Tere served as Executive Director of the Community College Consortium for Immigrant Education (CCCIE), an organization committed to supporting community colleges in their service to immigrants and refugees. Currently, she serves on the Board of the National Council for Workforce Education (NCWE) and on several local boards. In 2014, she was recognized as a Champion of Change by the White House. Tere is a National Community College Hispanic Council fellow and a SUNY Chancellor’s award recipient. She holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations and an MBA in Marketing.