Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Selected to Join National Initiative to Increase Student Success, Close Equity Gaps
The two-year, team-based learning journey accelerates institutional transformation by providing customized support for making data-informed decisions grounded in students’ realities. Campus leaders will learn best practices to close equity gaps and achieve student success goals for Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and low-income students.
“We are very grateful to both the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and AASCU for this incredible resource to support student success on our campus,” said TAMU-CC President Kelly M. Miller.
In participating in the TAC, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi’s primary goal is to better understand the needs of its student population to implement an effective program to realize success for its Hispanic, Black, low-income, and first-generation students. By analyzing disaggregated data, the Island University will develop new evidence-based student success programs and implement policy and process changes rather than use the same approach for all students in broad categories. Importantly, the university intends to move from equality to equity by acknowledging students’ differences and giving them what they need, removing barriers to student success, and remaining focused on outcomes.
“The achievement for equitable learning and post-graduate outcomes is the result of intentionally designed, student-centered learning experiences that engage, support, and guide students,” said Dr. Clarenda Phillips, TAMU-CC Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. “The TAC allows us build on and deepen the work we have already begun with our Finish-in-Four Initiative.”
The inaugural TAC cohort was selected through a highly competitive application process. Participants represent rural, urban, and suburban areas across the country, including seven Hispanic-serving Institutions (HSIs); three historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and Predominately Black Institutions (PBIs); and three Asian American and Native American Pacific-Islander serving Institutions (AANAPISIs). The selected institutions serve 120,525 full-time enrolled students, with an average Pell eligibility of 48%.
The TAC cohort approach involves peer-to-peer learning across institutions via in-person and virtual Student Success Academies. Participants will have access to resources, such as online modules and webinars, and receive support from subject matter experts in data analytics, equity, student success, advising, institutional transformation, and strategic and systems planning.
The achievement for equitable learning and post-graduate outcomes is the result of intentionally designed, student-centered learning experiences that engage, support, and guide students.
Dr. Clarenda Phillips, TAMU-CC Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Each institution has assembled a team of key campus leaders. At TAMU-CC, they include:
- Dr. Jerel Benton (team lead), Special Assistant to the Provost
- Dr. Kelly Miller, President and CEO
- Dr. Clarenda Phillips, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
- Dr. Chris Navia, Chief Diversity Officer
- Andy Benoit, Vice President for Enrollment
- Adrian Rodriguez, Vice President for Student Engagement and Success
- Erin Mulligan-Nguyen, Associate Vice President of Planning and Institutional Research
- Jaclyn Mahlmann, Vice President for Finance and Administration
- Dr. Shawnrece Campbell, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts
Along with TAMU-CC, the inaugural group includes:
- Albany State University (Ga.)
- California State University-Fresno
- Central Connecticut State University
- College of Staten Island CUNY
- Metropolitan State University of Denver
- PASSHE/Bloomsburg University, Lockhaven University, Mansfield University (Penn.)
- SUNY College at Oswego
- Texas A&M Kingsville
- Prairie View A&M University (Texas)
- Texas A&M University System
- Texas A&M University-San Antonio
- University of Hawaii at Hilo
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore
- William Paterson University (N.J.)
To learn more, visit https://www.aascu.org/news/transformation-accelerator-cohort/.
