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

2. Key Concepts Urban 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 Student Success Passing courses Completion of degree Successful transfer 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 American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention, April 9-12, 2011, New Orleans Cultural Responsiveness Validating Comprehensive MultidimensionalEmpowering Transformative Emancipatory Impact of Cultural Responsiveness Cultural Responsiveness =Action Action = Inclusion

4. Campus Profile: C INCINNATI S TATE T ECHNICAL & C OMMUNITY C OLLEGE 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% 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% Male 46%Female 54% Caucasian 65% African-American 23% Asian 2% Hispanic/Latino 1% International 4% Other 1% Non disclosed ethnicity 8% Male 46%Female 54% Caucasian 65% African-American 23% Asian 2% Hispanic/Latino 1% International 4% Other 1% Non disclosed ethnicity 8% Receive financial assistance 66% Parents highest education high school diploma or GED 35% Earned a GED 9% Need remediation 86% Receive financial assistance 66% Parents highest education high school diploma or GED 35% Earned a GED 9% Need remediation 86% Non-traditional College Students Gender, Race, Ethnicity, and Language Diversity Access and Learning Challenges “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.” “ 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.” “ 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 8,721 Students 53% African American Age: 30 51% St. Louis City Residents 93% Degree Seekers 65% Part-time 63% Female

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

8. STLCC-Forest Park 2011-2012 Strategic Priorities I. Increase Distance Education offerings/Quality II. Expand K-12 Outreach III. Expand Outreach to working adults IV. Increase Student Success in Developmental Courses 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 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