MSJC Recognized for Equity Achievements
4/28/2023
Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) earned recognition from The Campaign for College Opportunity for excelling in equitable course placement for Black and African American students.
MSJC is being honored for its efforts in supporting students to enroll and succeed in transfer-level math and/or English courses consistent with landmark placement policy AB 705 that was championed by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin and signed into law in 2017.
MSJC, one of 55 community colleges to receive one of the various awards from The Campaign for College Opportunity, earned recognition for its Equity Designation for Black Transfer-Level English Enrollment. Colleges earning this distinction are recognized for supporting 100% of Black students to enroll directly into transfer-level English. MSJC and the other colleges receiving an award will be recognized at the second annual Excellence in Placement ceremony in May.
“The success of our Black and African American students is a priority,” said Dr. Roger Schultz, MSJC superintendent/president. “Starting in 2019, MSJC became a leader in the state with its Equity Pledge, and soon after a Call to Action that demonstrates our commitment to develop and implement strategies and practices that support Black and African American students. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are a guiding principle at our institution and this recognition is a testament to our commitment to reduce barriers caused by systemic racism.”
Prior to AB 705, the vast majority of incoming community college students were being placed into remedial math and English courses that ultimately discouraged and derailed students on their college journeys. Over a decade of research has shown that students’ likelihood of earning a degree decreases when they start college in remedial courses.
Rebecca Teague, MSJC's interim vice president of Student Services who also oversees DEIA initiatives and grants, said she is optimistic that this is just the beginning of eradicating disproportionate impacts for the highest priority students.
"We are incredibly proud that our Black and African American students are experiencing a transformational shift in their ability to access and be successful in our transfer-level courses as a result of our intentional efforts to disrupt institutional practices that were previously identified as barriers" Teague said. "We are humbled by this award but ultimately inspired to do more to achieve the goals established in our Strategic Equity Plan and serve our students."
“As we celebrate the record number of California community colleges that are placing students in transfer-level courses, we must remember that equity and success for all students, particularly Black and Latinx students, must be at the forefront of our efforts,” said Michele Siqueiros, president of the Campaign for College Opportunity. “These colleges are leading the way in providing equitable access to higher education and ensuring that we break down barriers to student success,”
Equitable placement practices have proven to be highly consequential for increasing access to transfer-level coursework, maximizing student success, and closing racial/ethnic equity gaps. By starting in transfer-level English, completion rates have tripled for Black students and more than doubled for Latinx students.