CCCSE

TY @CommCollSurveys for joining us tonight and sharing your amazing work w/our students. We look of forward to supporting you all! Stay tuned this week to hear about next week's guest-Watch this space @equityavengers @Iamkeithcurry @DrTammeil @DrPamLuster OUT!

@DrPamLuster @equityavengers @Iamkeithcurry @DrTammeil Thank you for the invitation. It was an honor to be part of the discussion!

@Iamkeithcurry @DrTammeil @DrPamLuster When our students tell us they are struggling with basic needs, with their mental health, with childcare, we must listen to what they are telling us. We can’t guess what will help them be successful, we have to ask and then act on what we learn. #EquityChat

Q8 @CommCollSurveys , looking ahead, what gives you hope for the future of higher education and what’s your vision for fostering equitable student success? #EquityChat @DrTammeil @DrPamLuster

@Iamkeithcurry @DrTammeil @DrPamLuster and we have to be intentional about putting equity-minded practices into action.

@Iamkeithcurry @DrTammeil @DrPamLuster Understanding the inequities students experience is only the first step in helping them achieve success. For there to be equity in student outcomes, we have to be intentional about making students aware of the support services they need...

@Iamkeithcurry @DrTammeil @DrPamLuster There should also be an obligation to make all students feel welcome in their college communities by incorporating equity-minded practices into coursework and campus activities. Students want their cultural experiences to be reflected in the learning environment.

@Iamkeithcurry @DrTammeil @DrPamLuster The first step in creating equitable conditions for students is viewing them holistically — and understanding the external challenges and barriers to success they face.

@Iamkeithcurry @DrTammeil @DrPamLuster Therefore, our work needs to be about meeting every student where they are and ensuring they have the support they need to succeed.

@Iamkeithcurry @DrTammeil @DrPamLuster We interview many students who see higher education as something that will change their lives. And if they are successful, it will change their lives. But we also know that many of our students bring with them significant challenges.

@Iamkeithcurry @DrTammeil @DrPamLuster In a recent focus group we conducted, we asked students to finish this sentence: “College is like …” One student responded in this way, “College is like a dream. You come in and make your dreams come true.”

@DrTammeil @DrPamLuster @Iamkeithcurry The people on the ground at the colleges doing the heavy lifting continuously inspire my practice and the work of CCCSE. #EquityChat

Q7 @CommCollSurveys , to do this work, we must continue learning and partnering with others. How do you stay informed, and who inspires your practice? #EquityChat @DrPamLuster @Iamkeithcurry

@DrTammeil @DrPamLuster @Iamkeithcurry We met in person and virtually with all the college teams, and I was so encouraged by their commitment to the work. The coaching colleges clearly motivated the participating colleges, and vice versa.

@DrTammeil @DrPamLuster @Iamkeithcurry Because of that partnership, we were able to help these colleges use their CCCSE data as a tool and an information source in this process. This was an interesting project because each college had a coaching college that had already received the Seal.

@DrTammeil @DrPamLuster @Iamkeithcurry a distinction given to colleges that work intentionally to accelerate Latino student success.

@DrTammeil @DrPamLuster @Iamkeithcurry Partnerships are key in the work of student success. I’ll give you an example. Last year we partnered with Excelencia in Education to provide technical assistance to eight community colleges in their work to achieve the Seal of Excelenica—

@Iamkeithcurry @DrTammeil @DrPamLuster The magic happens when these pieces work together, not as random initiatives. When we get it right, every student can see themselves succeeding. #EquityChat

Q5 @CommCollSurveys, your work with the Texas Pathways Project focuses on creating student-centered pathways. How can colleges better align their efforts to improve completion and equity outcomes? #EquityChat @DrTammeil @DrPamLuster

@Iamkeithcurry @DrTammeil @DrPamLuster Clear program paths, proactive support, teaching that connects with ALL students, and actually using our data to spot who's falling through the cracks.

@Iamkeithcurry @DrTammeil @DrPamLuster The key is integrating equity-minded practices into every aspect of the pathways framework, rather than treating equity as a separate initiative.

@DrTammeil @DrPamLuster @Iamkeithcurry Nonetheless, we advocate for college leaders and their teams to disaggregate data by different demographic categories to see which students may need additional support. #EquityChat

Q4 @CommCollSurveys, what do you see as the biggest challenges higher education, and specifically community colleges face in achieving equity, and how can institutional leaders address these barriers? #EquityChat @DrPamLuster @Iamkeithcurry

@DrTammeil @DrPamLuster @Iamkeithcurry Limited institutional resources can make it difficult to provide adequate childcare, mental health services and academic support. These are some challenges. To address barriers…it’s important to look at what the data show. Colleges collect a lot of data.