For over a decade, Jane K. Fernandes has served in executive roles at universities and colleges in the United States. The first deaf woman to achieve such leadership, she has guided Guilford College as president. Beyond this, Jane K. Fernandes serves on the steering committee and board of several organizations, including the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration. This alliance of American university and college leaders improves public understanding of the ways students are affected by immigration policies.

In March 2021, the President’s Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration launched the Higher Ed Immigration Portal (www.higheredimmigrationportal.org), a digital resource created in partnership with several organizations. The website serves as a one-stop shop for federal and state information about students who are undocumented, DACA, international, immigrants, or refugees. The site includes analyzing policies related to such students, policy research information, and effective practices information for universities and colleges.

The information in the portal is comprehensive and comprises tools and resources from different websites and organizations. All information on policies and student data on the portal is kept up-to-date by a team of experts in immigration and higher education. Since nearly a third of higher education students are international students or second-generation immigrants, such information is essential for higher education leaders and policymakers.