Urban University Blog

In late 2015, the University of Missouri system president Tim Wolfe resigned after weeks of student protests. What were the students’ demands? To end structural and systemic racism on campus, and to ensure a learning environment that was safe, inclusive, and valued diversity. The students had called for President Wolfe’s resignation because of a perceived lack of leadership on campus climate issues. Efforts to address discrimination on campus, they felt, were both too little

A diverse faculty body is essential for excellence in research, teaching, service, and patient care, and contributes to a climate of inclusion on campus. Hiring and promoting faculty from diverse backgrounds also diversifies the senior administrative leadership pipeline. Despite our best efforts, however, many universities are struggling to achieve faculty diversity goals. Promising hiring practices exist, but there is a need for greater evidence to support implementation and

Collaborating for Change, we are releasing a series of resources to advance student success. One of the most under-recognized and growing segments of the student population is the Adult learner. Whether they transfer from two schools, return after a hiatus, or start later, understanding who they are and what they need challenges many universities. Portland State University and the University of Akron, two Collaborating for Change Institutions with large adult learner populati

Key Lessons The change process is: Student-centered Collaborative, both across campus and between campus and community Enbedded in the community Inclusive, addressing the needs of all students and stakeholders Accountable, with a reliance on evidence for decision-making, process transparency and clearly defined roles. Relentless in terms of institutional commitment and execution. What do you think is crucial to advancing institutional change?  Did we miss anything? #Universit

At the USU Summer meeting at Cleveland State University, our theme was deep collaboration between campus and community. As part of the event, we had a for-fun pitch session whereby three university representatives had five minutes to pitch to a panel of community judges. The winning collaborative was Wayne State University’s College of Engineering Warrior STEAM Saturdays. Pitched by Jasmine Roberson, Director, Community Engagement, College of Engineering, Wayne State Universi

Photo Credit: Georgia State University How do we best advance equity in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math)? While we’ve made strides increasing the number of minority and females entering and succeeding in STEM fields, we have so much more to do. For example, the National Academy of Science studies chart a lack of STEM proficiency in elementary school—gaps that widen along the education pipeline, and are more acute among historically underrepresented groups that