The Act Six Program: One Institutional Response to Increasing Diversity at Private Colleges and Universities

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  In Roundtable Session: Institutional Responses to Addressing Students' Needs

Abstract

This research explored the Act Six initiative as one institutional response to the challenges of increasing diversity and improving retention and graduation rates of underrepresented and under-served students within private higher education. The Act Six program includes full-need, full-tuition scholarships, training and preparation for students prior to matriculation, and mentorship throughout their time on campus.
Through a case analysis design, views of staff, faculty, and administrators at four Act Six partner universities, along with institutional data, were explored. This initiative appears to be one strategy for developing institutional capacity to respond to the significant changes in student demographic trends and honor their commitment of a justice orientation toward diversity.

Authors

• Jessica Rose Daniels, Bethel University & Seminary

• Ben Thomas, Northwest University

• Desiree Libengood, North Central University