Urban Student Success and Inclusive Decision Making

1. Urban Student Success and Inclusive Decision Making A Presentation by Chantae Recasner, Ph.D. and Tracy Hall, Ed.D

2. Key Concepts Urban Student Success Passing courses Completion of degree Successful transfer • Not just a euphemism for Black, or African American • When used as reference to Black, “urban” perpetuates white supremacist notions of danger, filth, and ugliness (Hayden, 2003) • A social geographic reference that characterizes contested, politicized public spaces • Connotes the struggles of various “othered” groups RETENTION! American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention, April 9-12, 2011, New Orleans

3. What is the Value of a Culturally Responsive Paradigm? • Core Components of Cultural Responsiveness • Culture Counts • Cultural Diversity is a Strength • Test Scores are Symptoms/ Failure is a Symptom • Traditional Reform Doesn’t Work • Intention without Action is Insufficient • Impact of Cultural Responsiveness • Cultural Responsiveness =Action • Action = Inclusion American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention, April 9-12, 2011, New Orleans

4. Campus Profile: Cincinnati State Technical & Community College Average age 27.1 Age 22 and under 44% Age 23 or older 56% Part-time student 60% Full-time student 40% Employed full-time 38% “At the age of twelve I had a son that I was fully responsible for and I had no clue how to take care of him. I remember trying to fix his first bottle, I felt so ashamed of myself because I could not read the directions on the back of the container.” Non-traditional College Students Male 46% Female 54% Caucasian 65% African-American 23% Asian 2% Hispanic/Latino 1% International 4% Other 1% Non disclosed ethnicity 8% “When it comes to literacy I might have been considered as an illiterate in this society if you only see it one way. And sometimes I wonder when we label people as been literate and illiterate if we have taken people like me into consideration.” Gender, Race, Ethnicity, and Language Diversity Receive financial assistance 66% Parents highest education high school diploma or GED 35% Earned a GED 9% Need remediation 86% Access and Learning Challenges “Once I started the classes to obtain my G.E.D. my self-esteem started to build and I started to feel alive. The process was slow but I was learning…”

5. Example of Culturally Responsive Practices in Teaching and Leadership • Innovation • Paradigm shift about technology • Cell phone is no longer a distraction in classrooms (teaching) • Move beyond Blackboard or Angel and communicate via text, twitter, and facebook—i.e. using hashtags to create community (leadership) • Impact • Bridging the digital divide • Direct, personal contact with students • Enhanced student engagement American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention, April 9-12, 2011, New Orleans

6. Fall 2010 Student Body Profile: STLCC-Forest Park American Association of Community Colleges

7. St. Louis Community College Graduation Rates: College-Ready Graduation Rates: Developmental Fall, 2005 Cohort (New, 1st time degree-seeking students) 3 Years: 5% African-American 12% Caucasian 5 Years: 10% African-American 22% Caucasian • Fall, 2005 Cohort (New, 1st time degree-seeking students) • 3 Years: • 7% African-American • 24% Caucasian • 5 Years: • 13% African-American • 34% Caucasian American Association of Community Colleges

8. STLCC-Forest Park2011-2012 Strategic Priorities V. Increase Success in Gateway and 100-level Courses VI. Increase enrollment, retention, and student success in CTE Programs VII. Enhance Workforce Development Partnerships VIII. Expand cultural diversity and global citizenship • I. Increase Distance Education offerings/Quality • II. Expand K-12 Outreach • III. Expand Outreach to working adults • IV. Increase Student Success in Developmental Courses American Association of Community Colleges

9. Discussion • Cultural Responsiveness = Action • Action = Inclusion • Discuss ways your campus/Institution uses data to inform your decision-making and planning, and respond to the needs of current and future students. American Association of Community Colleges

10. Questions and Answers American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention, April 9-12, 2011, New Orleans

11. Thank You • Dr. Chantae Recasner • Department of English and Literature • Cincinnati State Technical & Community College • Chantae.Recasner@cincinnatistate.edu • (513) 569-1724 • Dr. Tracy D. Hall • Vice President for Academic Affairs • St. Louis Community College-Forest Park • Thall80@stlcc.edu • 314-644-9280 American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention, April 9-12, 2011, New Orleans