About four years ago, North Carolina State University in Raleigh, N.C., saw a spike in its refugee applicants. After the dining program hired a number of refugees, the new hires spread the word about the operation's training and flexible schedules to fellow migrants who had been granted asylum. As with many groups, word of mouth is powerful in refugee communities, says Bob Sorochak, a general manager at NC State Dining.
Now, at two of the dining halls managed by Sorochak and fellow GM Scott Curtner, 23 out of 70 employees are refugees. Here are some lessons Sorochak and Curtner have learned along the way.