With Academic Affairs as our champion, we are using a narrative research approach to explore differences between successfully matriculating black males and those who are not.

Our team conducted individual interviews with current, graduated, and stopped-out Black male students in an effort to compare and contrast readiness, motivation, support, and other factors that may determine persistence in the target group.

Academic Affairs, Institutional Research, and Student Affairs & Enrollment Management worked together to identify equity gaps related to Black male students who are presently attending, have graduated, and have stopped-out.

DEI projects may take longer than originally planned. If done well, the data and studies of the project may uncover previously unknown variables or dynamics with an organization. Addressing unknown dynamics may take time to uncover properly.

All areas of campus should be on the same page concerning definitions, values, and beliefs for campus diversity and inclusion initiatives.

DEI initiatives have the opportunity to help institutions address equity gaps. Annual and semi-annual assessments by a DEI office, or committee, could help academia recognize and resolve equity issues.