A commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion: A seven-sector framework to transform higher education access, success and completion

Abstract

As the US continues to navigate the historic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cities, counties and states, higher education has also been affected, particularly diverse, lower socio-economic and first-generation students. Although access to education has always had common challenges including financial, transport, childcare and access to broadband and Wi-Fi, the achievement and success gaps have had a disproportionate impact on some students. Overall student excellence is a top priority at West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC), particularly given its achievement of being a record five-times top-ten college nationally and twice a finalist with distinction, including in May 2021. Therefore, areas of deep concern were not only access, success and equity, but also a lack of developed committees to identify, address and implement strategies to address those gaps. What was also missing was adequate funding to meet the large and varied needs of our regional student populations. In December 2020, WKCTC was the recipient of a record US$15m gift from philanthropist Mackenzie Scott, which is the largest single donor gift in the college's history. The college advanced a bold and transformative vision to address and remove financial barriers and barriers to regional access and success in higher education by incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) through a seven-sector vision developed by the president.