To support colleges and universities in their efforts to address inequities on campus, Achieving the Dream (ATD) and the University of Southern California Race and Equity Center have collaborated to establish the Racial Equity Leadership Academy (RELA).
Scheduled to begin last year, COVID-19 delayed the application process. However, the program is now moving forward as 10 institutions were recently selected: Anne Arundel Community College, Austin Community College District, Broward College, Chattanooga State Community College, Columbus State Community College, Kingsborough Community, Lee College, Montgomery County Community College, Mott Community College and Pierce College.
Dr. Monica Parrish Trent, vice president of network engagement at ATD, emphasized that community colleges “play a vital role in advancing racial equity and social justice in the communities they serve.”
“We are excited to partner with the University of Southern California Race and Equity Center to customize and deliver curriculum that will support community colleges, address the structural barriers to equity and invest in equity-minded policies, practices and behaviors that will lead to success for all students,” said Trent.
As part of its application, each institution identified proposed action plans to support student success and close equity gaps. Their goals ranged from increasing Black and Latinx student graduation rates to hiring faculty members that represent the student population to becoming an anti-racist school.
On a national scale, underrepresented students are less likely than their White counterparts to graduate. Around four in 10 minority students earn a bachelor’s degree in six years compared to six in 10 White students, according to Education Trust.
Throughout the program, which was funded by the Kresge Foundation and Greater Texas Foundation, teams consisting of college presidents, faculty members, diversity officers and student affairs professionals will study equity modules, evidence-based tools and frameworks.
