Transforming Outcomes for Men of Color: A Networked Improvement Community Approach

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 3:45 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Transforming Systems, Centering Equity: Advancing Racial Justice through Continuous Improvement

Abstract

Abstract

Despite increased college enrollment, Men of Color (MOC) continue to face significant disparities in retention and completion. In response, the Men of Color Consortium (MOC²), in partnership with the Carnegie Foundation, launched a Networked Improvement Community (NIC) in 2024. This NIC brought together community colleges and four-year universities to collaboratively improve first-year retention outcomes for MOC using improvement science.

This case study examines early insights from the hub leadership team, drawing on meeting notes, artifacts, and observations. Key successes included strong engagement, increased data use, and the creation of a shared aim to increase first-year retention by 10 percentage points. Challenges included limited campus capacity, uneven tool familiarity, and inconsistent implementation of improvement cycles.

Authors

• Jesse Enriquez, California State University - Dominguez Hills

• Matthew Smith, California State University - Dominguez Hills

• William Franklin, California State University - Dominguez Hills