You already know that education changes lives, and you’re committed to improving student success, equity, and accessibility at your institution. Whether you’re just beginning your transformation journey or are facing a crossroads, this site offers guidance, flexible frameworks, and tools aligned with the values of institutions dedicated to equitable student success.
Transformation is about each institutions’ commitment to eliminating race, ethnicity, and income as predictors of student success by transforming how the institution operates and serves students.
The formalized definition below has been co-created with higher ed leaders and outlines both the ‘what’ of transformation as well as the ‘how.’ Neither are a prescription but serve as a shared reference to leverage or adapt.
Transformation
is the realignment of an institution’s structures, culture, and business model to create a student experience that results in dramatic and equitable increases in outcomes and educational value.*
Institutions transform by integrating evidence-based practices that create inclusive and coherent learning environments and by leveraging a student-centered mission, catalytic leadership, strategic data use, and strategic finance in a robust continuous improvement process.
Transformation, its components, and outcomes are also illustrated by the institutional transformation framework. The framework describes the relationships between the contributing components of transformation and their collective focus on equitable student success. It was designed with and for the postsecondary field.
As an illustrative complement to the definition, the framework centers equitable student success outcomes and the student experience represented by the green pathways ring. Changing student facing practices and implementing supports are represented by the orange solution areas ring. In support of student-facing changes, shifts in ‘back-office’ functions are often necessary. The blue capacities ring supports changing and implementing student facing practices but often does not interact with student experience directly.
The context and unique characteristics of the institution matter. Your community, your students, and your mission influence the choices about what changes you’ll make. Tailoring your transformation journey depends on your institution’s current status quo and goals, requiring a clear understanding of student needs and potential shifts in policies and capacities to ensure sustainable change.
The following video shows how the student experience is at the center of an integrated model where an institution’s solutions and operating capacities work together.
Transformation is not about adhering to a strict model. It’s about embracing a continuous improvement mindset that evolves with your institution’s needs and goals. A robust continuous improvement process relies on routine, data-informed reflection, ensuring that your initiatives prioritize equitable student success.
Here, you’ll find resources, tools, and methods tailored to support your unique journey. This platform provides insights sourced from diverse experiences, allowing institutions to address their most pressing challenges in student success. Remember, every institution’s path is distinct—by engaging in ongoing reflection and collaboration, you can create an adaptive, resilient environment where students thrive.
Let’s embark on this transformative journey together!
