Although the equity gap has always existed in higher education, during this time in history the acceleration of education inequality has become increasingly clear and urgent to address. Many under-resourced college students have experienced the devastating effects of financial difficulties, technology deficits, forced gap years, and unfamiliarity with educational policies and procedures which in turn has had a significant impact on their college success, and graduation completion.
The Summit Initiative was created to identify students who have been affected by these systemic and situational disparities, connect them with expert guides who can help them address their most significant challenges, and provide a pathway forward to graduation and success.
We must never forget that the hero of the Summit Initiative is the determined and resolute student who is climbing the summit. Our institutions must provide the “ropes” and expertise that will allow these students to achieve their educational and life goals.
Identify
- Deliver equity assessments to understand Sense of Belonging, Homesickness, and Academic Plans
- Discover the highest risk factors at your institution
- Uncover institution-based equity gaps and student cohorts who have below average graduation rates
- Designate High At-Risk Population (HARP) cohorts
Connect & Solve
- Facilitate the formation and training of a Summit Intervention Team
- Refine current language that is not welcoming or inclusive and discourages students from engaging
- Plan targeted semester support for HARP students
- Create a graduation vision to guide major and career decision making and create a path to individual goals
Measure
- Receive retention and persistence reports in the fall and spring
- Capture student success stories from individuals and cohorts
- Refine HARP and equity gap student segments based on analysis of intervention outcomes and results
Closing the equity gap in Higher Ed
