ORLANDO—
Achieving the Dream (ATD), the national reform network of more than 300 community colleges committed to increasing student success, kicked off its annual convening this week showcasing the powerful narrative of its member institutions.
College presidents, senior leaders, faculty and students have come to this year’s conference with the goal of sharing best practices on how they’ve transformed their institutions to benefit students.
Harry S. Truman College and Richard J. Daley College—both part of the City Colleges of Chicago system—are the latest institutions to join the ATD Network.
“For 20 years ATD’s fundamental commitment has been to help our colleges build new capacities, systems, and processes to address institutional barriers that prevent students, especially racially and economically marginalized learners, from entering and leaving our institutions with a credential of value for themselves, their families, and their communities,” said Dr. Karen A. Stout, president of ATD. “Activating the talent and potential of all learners, through the partnership with all seven City Colleges of Chicago, is urgent work. This is especially critical in Chicago, a highly diverse community that is an economic powerhouse in our country but where structural inequities in access to and completion of a post-secondary credential of value put countless lives at risk.”
Dr. Imani Perry delivers keynote address at the Achieving the Dream convening in Orlando, Florida.
ATD activates coaches to help institutional leaders formulate action plans for achieving demonstrated outcomes around student success. Embedded in its work is a concentrated focus on equity and inclusion.
“The founders of ATD met the moment. They found a purpose that could spark innovation and focus across an entire sector of higher education. This is now our moment,” said Stout. “Can we continue to reinvent our colleges and communities to be more equitable places that secure the future for another 20 years and beyond? I know, as I look out across the room full of wonderful educators and leaders, that this future is attainable.”
