Pivoting Equity Work to Advance Student Success: Lessons from Community College Practice

Session Submission Type: Roundtable

Abstract

Colleges and universities nationwide face growing scrutiny of their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts—initiatives designed to close equity gaps and improve outcomes for all students. As the political landscape shifts, practitioners and policymakers are working to sustain strategies that support diverse and underserved student populations while navigating increasing pressure and risk.

This roundtable session will bring together researchers, policy experts, and college leaders to explore how community colleges are adapting their policies and practices—particularly in the context of workforce and economic mobility—to continue advancing student success. Speakers will include representatives from Corporation for a Skilled Workforce (CSW), the Urban Institute, and the Maven Collective, as well as community college leaders. Rather than formal presentations, each speaker will briefly highlight key insights from their respective vantage point—research, policy, practice, and funding—before opening the conversation to attendees.

The discussion will draw on several recent bodies of work led by Corporation for a Skilled Workforce and the Urban Institute, including multiple communities of practice led by CSW and the Urban Institute and research documenting these efforts, a study on how colleges and funders are strategically messaging equity, and a study of occupational crowding in the information and technology sectors and strategies to close gaps in outcomes (findings forthcoming summer 2025). The roundtable will surface how different actors are continuing to do this important work while pivoting toward resilient strategies, including:

• The use of language to frame and sustain student success goals;


• The use of data to identify gaps, guide practice and policy, and demonstrate value;


• Internal approaches to building institutional resilience and capacity for improvement; and


• Employer engagement to support equitable pathways and shared workforce goals.

Notably, the session will also be scaffolded using Lightning Decision Jam (LDJ) principles, adapted for a conference roundtable format. These principles will shape both the speaker contributions and the facilitated dialogue, including:

• Starting with what’s working – Highlighting strengths and innovations advancing equity and student success;


• Surfacing shared challenges – Identifying barriers and risks that threaten progress, particularly in today’s climate;


• Reframing challenges as opportunities – Using “How Might We…” prompts to guide discussion toward solutions;


• Inviting rapid idea generation – Sharing strategies and promising practices from participants’ own institutions or networks;


• Prioritizing takeaways – Concluding with shared actions and insights that participants can carry forward.

By applying these LDJ-inspired elements, the session will promote inclusive participation, elevate diverse perspectives, and generate actionable insights for attendees to build on after the conference.

Speakers will include:
Shayne Spaulding, Urban Institute (Moderator)
Jenny Poole, Ph.D., Corporation for a Skilled Workforce
Ofronama Biu, Ph.D., The Maven Collective
Beth Armand, Ph.D., Diablo Valley College

Policy Area

• Social Equity and Race

Secondary Policy Area

• Education

Moderator

• Shayne Spaulding, Urban Institute

Organizer

• Jennifer L Poole, Corporation for a Skilled Workforce

Speakers

• Jennifer L Poole, Corporation for a Skilled Workforce

• Ofronama Biu, The Maven Collaborative

• Beth Marie Arman, Diablo Valley College