Valuing Strengths, Fostering Success

Posted by Association of American Colleges and Universities on April 2, 2019

Valuing Strengths, Fostering Success

Diversity & Democracy, Fall 2018
Vol. 21, No. 4

Students from low-income backgrounds come to college with valuable perspectives and strengths, yet they also face daunting challenges—from rising college costs, to family and work responsibilities, to the difficulty of navigating predominantly middle-class norms on campus, to basic needs insecurity. The contributors to this issue of Diversity & Democracy describe their work to honor students’ assets and identify and break down barriers that may stand in the way of their success.

From the Editor: Valuing and Empowering Students from Low-Income Backgrounds 
By Emily Schuster, Association of American Colleges and Universities

Valuing Strengths, Fostering Success
Honoring the Voices, Experiences, and Assets of Students from Low-Income Backgrounds 
By Susan E. Borrego, University of Michigan–Flint

Bridging the Divide: Addressing Social Class Disparities in Higher Education 
By Krista M. Soria, University of Minnesota

Achieving Equity and Excellence at Colleges and Universities with High Graduation Rates: Early Lessons from the American Talent Initiative
By Tania LaViolet and Joshua S. Wyner—both of the Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program

Giving Back: Community-Based Learning and Men from Low-Income, First-Generation Backgrounds
By Theresa Ling Yeh, University of Washington

Campus Practice
Using Transcript Data and Online Courses to Prepare More Students for College 
By Yvette Gullatt, University of California

College Men from Marginalized America: Male Retention Initiatives at Berea College 
By Linda Strong-Leek, Chris Green, and Yoli Carter—all of Berea College

Global Students Having Global Experiences  
By Katie B. Wilson, Stella and Charles Guttman Community College (City University of New York)

Perspective
The Power of Mentoring within High-Impact Practices: A Focus on Low-Income Students 
By Becky Wai-Ling Packard, Mount Holyoke College

The Unique Role of Tribal Colleges and Universities
By Cynthia Lindquist (Ta’sunka Wicahpi Win, Star Horse Woman), Cankdeska Cikana Community College

Supporting Success by Addressing Students’ Academic, Engagement, and Financial Needs 
By Ellen Neufeldt, Old Dominion University

Diversity & Democracy supports higher education faculty and leaders as they design and implement programs that advance civic learning and democratic engagement, global learning, and experiences with diversity to prepare students for socially responsible action in today’s interdependent but unequal world.