PHILADELPHIA—
Despite the ongoing attacks to diversity, equity and inclusion within higher education, more than a thousand educators gathered in-person and virtually late last week to share strategies and brainstorm ways to center equitable outcomes for the students who attend their institutions.
Sponsored by the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), this year’s “Conference on Diversity, Equity, and Student Access: What Unites Us,” drew faculty, students, administrators, policymakers, and community members to Philadelphia for a three-day convening that focused on pillars for student success, including strengthening retention, student engagement, expansive teaching and learning practices and efforts to diversify the faculty and staff.
In the opening keynote to the conference, Dr. Michael A. Baston, president of Cuyahoga Community College pointed to the “opportunity deserts” that exist within higher education that stretch beyond race and ethnicity.
In his speech titled, "From Mirage to Oasis: The Role of Higher Education in Advancing Opportunity for All," Baston noted that food and housing insecurity and access to the internet, are among the litany of challenges that continue to serve as barriers to student success.
Dr. Michael A. Baston, president of Cuyahoga Community College delivered the opening keynote address at this year's AAC&U Conference on Diversity, Equity, and Student Success: What Unites Us
“You can’t get to genuine equality without equity,” said Baston, who added that students have to be an integral part of the conversation focused on yielding positive outcomes. “We’ve got to begin to listen to the voices of students and not decide what they need without them being part of this conversation.”
That was the case at this year’s conference, where more than 100 students were in attendance and active participants in all of the conference sessions.
