EDC614A

Smith, B., Dumont, S., Grimes-Hillman, M., Jamshidnejad, C., Johnson, J., Ortiz, J., Rider, V., & Vega, M. (2012). The role of counseling faculty and delivery of counseling services in the California community colleges. The Academic Senate for California Community Colleges. https://www.asccc.org/sites/default/files/CounselingS12_0.pdf
In this comprehensive 2012 study, the authors dive into the pivotal role played by counseling faculty and the mechanisms for delivering counseling services within the California community college system. This research, published by The Academic Senate for California Community Colleges, offers valuable insights into how counseling services contribute to students' overall success and well-being in this educational context.

Watermark Insights (2023, February 27). Why community colleges are our best hope for closing the equity gap. Watermark. https://www.watermarkinsights.com/resources/blog/community-colleges-are-our-best-hope-for-closing-the-equity-gap
This article makes a compelling argument for the unique position of community colleges to address disparities in educational equity. The author highlights these schools' open-access mission and diversity of students as reasons why they have unrealized potential to be leaders in closing persistent gaps in achievement and attainment between student groups.

Temple University (2021, March 31). The Hope Center survey 2021: Basic needs insecurity during the ongoing pandemic. The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice. https://hope.temple.edu/sites/hope/files/media/document/HopeSurveyReport2021.pdf
The Hope Center's 2021 survey presents an account of how college students continue to face major challenges in meeting their basic needs, even with some federal pandemic relief. The report details ongoing food and housing insecurity, technology gaps, and mental health issues that could jeopardize students' education.

Temple University. (n.d.). The Hope Center student basic needs survey. The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice. https://hope.temple.edu/research/hope-center-basic-needs-survey
The Hope Center has conducted ongoing surveys that reveal just how many college students struggle to afford basics like food, rent, childcare, and transportation. The research provides a view of the daily obstacles and trade-offs disadvantaged students face pursuing a degree. These annual surveys help colleges recognize where support is falling short so they can better assist at-risk students.

Jensen, E., Jones, N., Rabe, M., Pratt, B., Medina, L., Orozoco, K., & Spell, L. (2021, August 12). 2020 U.S. Population more racially and ethnically diverse than measured in 2010. United States Census. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2021/08/2020-united-states-population-more-racially-ethnically-diverse-than-2010.html
The latest census data discloses a surge in the diversity of the U.S. population, as unveiled by the 2020 census. Notably, there has been a marked increase in racial diversity, a decline in the White population, and the Hispanic/Latino community maintaining its position as the largest minority group. These demographic transformations underscore the pressing need for policies and representation that promote equity and inclusivity for all groups in the future.

California Community Colleges. (2023). Student equity. https://www.cccco.edu/About-Us/Chancellors-Office/Divisions/Educational-Services-and-Support/Student-Service/What-we-do/Student-Equity
The Student Equity and Achievement (SEA) Program, introduced in 2018 within the California Community Colleges, marks a consolidation of three earlier initiatives. Its overarching goal is to foster student success and equity by offering guided pathways, educational plans, and fair placement policies. Under the SEA Program, colleges are mandated to create and put into action equity plans, concentrating on eradicating achievement disparities among underrepresented student groups.

California Community Colleges. (2019, March). California community colleges #realcollege survey. The Hope Center. https://www.evc.edu/sites/default/files/2022-04/RealCollege-CCCCO-Report.pdf
The availability of data on food and housing insecurity among college students is still insufficient, impeding both campus and policy initiatives to aid these students, as highlighted in a 2019 Government Accountability Office report. The #RealCollege survey plays a pivotal role in bridging this information gap, offering one of the few comprehensive multi-campus perspectives on students grappling with basic needs, and four cross-institutional studies have already utilized its insights.

[TEDx Talks]. (2019, July 13). On diversity: Access ain't inclusion | Anthony Jack | TEDxCambridge [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7w2Gv7ueOc
Gaining admission to college is just the initial hurdle for disadvantaged students, asserts Anthony Abraham Jack, Assistant Professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. In this video, Jack sheds light on the challenges these students face and advocates for a shift in educational approaches, emphasizing that true success for these students goes beyond mere access – it requires genuine inclusion. (12m 42s)