Elevating Equity for Social Mobility

Abstract

Historic inequality along with contracting social mobility in the U.S. have exacerbated the challenges facing students, families, and the community colleges that serve them. And despite some recent progress among students from traditionally underrepresented and underserved populations, the achievement gap persists. The purpose of this report is not to reflect on how students may come from poverty or disenfranchised communities, or even how underprepared they are for college and the world of work. Instead, this report aims to reflect on our own institutions and how faculty, staff, administrators and trustees of the “system” need to see their role (intentionally or unintentionally) in perpetuating the inequities, or more importantly, in helping to achieve student equity.