“Equity‐Mindedness Is Achievable”: Community College Practitioners Leading for Equity

ABSTRACT

With their open access mission and the diverse students served, community colleges are poised to lead equitable student success efforts in the academy. Research demonstrates, however, that many community colleges fail to support the success of Students of Color. Equitable student success efforts have become even more challenging due to anti‐DEI rhetoric, actions, and legislation from federal and many state governments. Equity‐mindedness as conceptualized and developed for higher education by Dr. Estela Bensimon provides the framework and tools community colleges need to serve all their students and close racialized disparate student outcomes. This article offers equity‐minded strategies being utilized by community college leaders as they serve students and advance institutional missions.