Enhancing Faculty Development in Historically Black Colleges to Boost Graduation Rates

Introduction

In a notable step towards improving educational outcomes, Complete College America (CCA), a dedicated nonprofit focused on increasing postsecondary attainment, has announced a new collaboration with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE). This initiative specifically targets four historically or predominantly Black community colleges, aiming to address the critical completion gap that affects many students in these institutions.

The Initiative

Beginning with the launch on September 21, the partnership will see faculty at these colleges engage in extensive training that emphasizes evidence-based teaching practices. This initiative provides the opportunity for a select group of educators to complete ACUE’s nationally recognized Effective Teaching certification, thereby honing their instructional abilities.

The institutions involved in this groundbreaking initiative include Lawson State Community College in Alabama, Coahoma Community College in Mississippi, Baton Rouge Community College in Louisiana, and Delgado Community College in Louisiana. By participating in ACUE's Effective Teaching Practices course, these faculty members will not only gain advanced teaching techniques but also become part of a community committed to ongoing professional development.

The Importance of Faculty Development

Yolanda Watson Spiva, president of CCA, emphasizes the essential role of effective faculty in the college completion equation. According to her, these educators are pivotal in fostering connections and momentum, supporting learners in their educational journeys. In light of the low graduation rates—only a third of first-time, full-time community college students graduate within three years—investing in teaching quality is essential for student success.

Research indicates that robust student-faculty interactions significantly correlate with increased retention rates among students, especially those who are first-generation, low-income, or from historically underserved communities. A study conducted by Sam Houston State University confirmed that classes led by ACUE-certified instructors experienced lower rates of failing grades and withdrawals, highlighting the potential impact of effective teaching on student outcomes.

Building on Previous Success

The collaboration with ACUE is an extension of CCA’s broader Accelerator initiative, which is backed by the Gates Foundation. This multi-year project aims to help colleges and educational systems implement practical reforms that boost graduation rates. CCA provides tailored coaching and resources to participating institutions, designed to identify specific challenges and construct multi-year strategies to overcome them.

Goals of the Program

The core components of the ACUE program include teaching methods that engage students in active learning, promote inquiry-driven instruction, and tailor courses to how students learn best. Moreover, ACUE Commons will be made accessible to faculty across the participating colleges, providing a dynamic platform for continued learning and professional growth. Faculty can earn endorsements in critical areas, including Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education and Holistic Student Support, thus broadening their expertise.

Monitoring Progress

Throughout the duration of this partnership, both CCA and ACUE will diligently track faculty engagement and progress towards certification. This data collection will allow evaluation of the effectiveness of teaching practices on the participating institutions' faculty, with the aim of assessing how these practices contribute to improving student success rates.

Conclusion

Andrew Hermalyn, ACUE’s chairman, reiterates that teaching quality is intrinsically linked to the conversation about college completion. By establishing quality teaching as a priority, institutions can create systemic improvements in student retention and graduation rates. Through this initiative, faculty members at these historically Black colleges will receive the necessary resources and training to uplift their teaching practices, ultimately striving towards a future where all students have the opportunity to succeed academically and professionally.

For further details about this initiative or if your institution is interested in similar collaborations, visit Complete College America or learn more about ACUE.