The HBCU Division hosted the second Masterclass of its Masterclass Series on June 6, 2023. The class focused on Community Colleges: Enrollment, Retention and Completion. Speakers included: Dr. Willie Todd, President/CEO at Denmark Technical College, Dr. A. Clifton Myles, Executive Vice President at Denmark Technical College, Ms. Leah Jones, Director of Accreditation and Accountability at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College (OCtech) and Ms. Evelyn Andrews, Veterans Program Supervisor at Los Positas Community College. Though the speakers represented community colleges, the information shared was applicable and necessary to supporting students across all institutions of higher education. Here is some of what was shared:

• Denmark Tech has implemented a program, Perpetual Pathways, in which they have committed to supporting students seven years after graduation. Graduates receive career preparation, support through job changes, and assistance securing additional certifications as needed. The institution has also employed YouScience- a test that allows students to realize how their academic interests align with their aptitude. You can view a video of Denmark Tech's use of YouScience HERE.
• OCtech experienced only a 37% drop in student enrollment during the pandemic, but of that 37%, 63% were black students. Using their Race to Finish grant, OCtech has implemented two initiatives to increase retention and graduation among their black student population. They have expanded their first-year experience to ensure students are aware of all the resources available to them and are in the process of hiring a first-year experience professional whose sole focus will be to support incoming students. Additionally, they began offering 7-week terms and a Weekend Warriors Program where students can take classes on weekends when the college is usually closed. 
• Los Positas has a large veteran population, so its support services involve working with other entities that aid veterans. Establishing Academic Resilience Workshops, Los Positas partnered with local Army Reservists to tap into their expertise in Master Resiliency Training and apply that knowledge to college and academics. The Academic Resilience Workshops aim to re-train returning students on focus, balancing priorities, and study skills. Los Positas also developed a Study Buddy Program where veteran students are paired with other student-veterans to share academic and emotional support. You can learn more about Los Positas' work with veteran students in the next Masterclass. 

The next Masterclass will focus on supporting student-veterans. The date is TBD. If you have any questions about the Masterclass series, please contact Ms. Megan Singleton at megan.singleton@ed.gov. 

The Center for Inclusive Excellence (CIE) is a product of the Center of Educational Excellence for Black Teachers (CEEBT) grant and the Teacher Quality Partnership grant awarded by the US Department of Education through a collaborative effort with Coppin State University and University of Maryland Eastern Shore (funded grantee). 

The CIE aims to build capacities for inclusive excellence in education and the workplace. Breaking through traditional approaches to solving community-wide challenges of gaps in academic achievements and career outcomes, the CIE and the Pathways to Professions (P2P) initiatives are designed to increase access, improve effectiveness, and accelerate career advancement for teachers of diverse background, while also boosting student success in high-needs urban and rural schools across Maryland. Coppin’s P2P signature innovations, including MicroCredentials for competency mastery and MicroResidencies for culturally responsive practices, are being implemented concurrently across Coppin State University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Salisbury University, as well as in partnership schools across Baltimore City, Dorchester County, Somerset County, and Wicomico County Public Schools.

The 2023 Pathways to Professions Leadership Academy video highlights the CIE community of educators and policy makers across the state, and the inclusive approach to teacher diversity and student success. For more information, please contact Dr. Yi Huang, Executive Director and Research Professor, at CIE@coppin.edu.

Gadsden State used Title III funds to revamp an old classroom into a multipurpose room. The multipurpose room was created to accommodate the growth of the campus with the addition of two new programs. It has 20 computers in hideaway desks, a Clear Touch Interactive Panel, a mobile device charging unit, and a printer. The room will be utilized as classroom space, a computer lab, a testing lab, and meeting space for programs on campus.

Additionally, Gadsden State has established a Technology Loans Program, which allows Valley Street campus students enrolled in a degree program to check out laptops, hotspots, mobile printers, MP3 players, Kindles, and resource toolkits if they show an academic need for a device. The loan program has had a positive impact and has helped level the playing field for students who lack access to technology or the internet at home. It has also reduced the financial burden for students needing help to afford their devices. Students can access academic content needed to be successful in their classes and be “plugged in” and engaged with their instructors and fellow students on campus.

In October 2021, Southern Crescent Technical College received a five-year, $1.25 million grant through the U.S. Department of Education’s Title III, Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI) Formula grant program. The purpose of the PBI Formula Program is to strengthen eligible institutions to plan, develop, undertake, and implement programs to enhance the institution’s capacity to serve more Black American students.

The Equity From Start to Finish program, established with funds from the PBI grant, is designed to support the underrepresented population of African American male students in postsecondary education. Through targeted recruitment efforts, the program promotes equity in and access to postsecondary opportunities, provides ongoing support for students to ensure they are retained and graduate, and expands program offerings that lead to workforce opportunities in high-demand growing industries such as Industrial Systems Technology, Machine Tool Technology, and Welding and Joining Technology.

“Equity from Start to Finish has made great strides since its launch,” stated Ms. Anita White, the Director of Career Placement and Academic Advisement. “I’ve seen firsthand how this initiative has brought an increased sense of belonging and school pride to black males in the SCTC community by way of fellowship, mentorship, and support. I recently had the pleasure of meeting two of the members of this initiative. These young men were enthusiastically spreading the word about the positive impact Equity from Start to Finish has had on their academic journey, and they were very eager to recruit other “brothers” into the program.”  

You can hear more about the Equity From Start to Finish program from the Director, Ms. Diedra Dugger (pictured with program graduate above), by clicking HERE.

Norco College Student-Veterans Graduate with Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)

Army First Sergeant (E8) Joey Mora is a Military Police Officer reservist, military occupation specialization (MOS) 31 Bravo, with 20 years active duty and four overseas deployments.

First deployed in 2003 for Operation Enduring Freedom, Mora completed three more tours of duty in the years to come. Between these, he worked in law enforcement and took classes at his local community college.  It was tough to maintain progress, and eventually Mora’s educational goals took a backseat to life. That changed when Mora moved to Eastvale, CA and learned about a new program at Norco College called the Military Articulation Platform (MAP).

In Spring 2021, after a 10-year college journey, Mora received 30 units of college credit based on the recommendations listed on his Joint Services Transcript (JST) which were articulated and approved by discipline faculty in MAP.

With one year of CPL, Mora was able to complete his AA in Social Behavioral Studies in just one year. Recently promoted to First Sergeant (E8) and to Sergeant in his civilian law enforcement position, Mora credits MAP with helping him get to the next level and now plans to transfer to a four-year university for a bachelor’s degree.

The Vega Family, pictured below, also took advantage of the CPL program at Norco College. Santiago Vega Jr. (center) is a Marine Corps veteran (MOS: 3531 Motor Transportation Operator and Repair); first generation college; recipient of 17 credits for military training; completing Kinesiology BS this year at CSU Fullerton--no debt, no wasted time, no extra units, nor benefits.

Santiago Vega Sr. (left), is a Marine Corps veteran (same MOS as Jr.) When Mr. Vega, who owns a successful lighting business, learned that he could also qualify for 17 units for his military training, he decided to pursue an AA in Social and Behavioral Sciences and is well on his way to completion.

Josie Vega (right), Wife, Mother, Business Partner. Not to be left out, Mrs. Vega also decided to add a college degree to her career and is now working full-time toward a Sociology AS.