Countless studies have shown that what happens outside of classrooms
plays a crucial role in whether students attend college and continue in
college to graduation. High school guidance counselors, admissions
officers and campus student service officers all play a part in
matching the right student to the right campus and then making sure the
students feel a part of campus life.
The three organizations that represent professionals who provide
those services are headed by women who speak passionately about the
obligations of their professions to the recruitment and retention of
students of color in higher education.
What follows is part of a roundtable discussion they recently had
with Black Issues In Higher Education. Dr. Carmen Neuberger is
executive director of the American College Personnel Association.
Gwendolyn J. Dungy is executive director of the National Association of
Student Personnel Administrators. Joyce Smith is executive director of
National Association of College Admission Counselors.
How will the changes in affirmative action policies affect the way your members do their work?
Smith: It’s directly affecting our work [in admissions]. We have
always held a firm belief that affirmative action practices are needed
in the college transition process. As it pertains to students and their
opportunities for access, it will greatly affect the color and class of
who goes to college.
Dungy: There’s a sea change because of what’s going on in Texas and
California – and I’m not sure if it’s all negative. One positive piece
I see in relation to our members is that it will give them an
opportunity – not opportunity as much as an incentive – to really
develop partnerships between secondary schools and colleges.
What we’ve done often is we waited until they get to our door and
then we begin to work with students. But we have not taken as much
advantage as we need to take in helping faculty and helping counselors
work with students to prepare them for the admissions criteria they’ll
have to face. So, I think that is an opportunity.
