Understanding Student Success...
It is no secret that The Pullias Center for Higher Education has a strong passion and focus on researching and understanding the factors behind student success in higher education, especially for underserved populations.   One step we have undertaken toward that goal is the "TSLC Scholars: A Mixed Methods Examination of a Comprehensive College Transition and Success Program for Low-Income Students" research project, which is possible through generous funding by the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation.  
 
This month we have invited members from the project team to be guest editors for our newsletter.  We hope you enjoy their perspectives and continue to follow the project through to its fruition. 
 
From 'TSLC Scholars' Team
 
One of the most significant challenges facing colleges and universities remains how to increase success among the more diverse populations of students transitioning into higher education. First generation, low income, and underrepresented minority students are entering college campuses at a higher rate than ever before.   Yet the completion rates of these three categories remain significantly behind traditional student populations.  

New Research: Validation and College Transition Programs

New Pullias Center research confirms that how comprehensive college transition program (CCTP) elements are implemented is more important than what elements are included within the support program.  The findings highlight the crucial role that academic validation plays within CCTPs.

New Research: Integrated Programs and STEM Success
 
Two new research papers uncover the role of collaboration and the importance of a unified community in successfully implementing integrated programs to support success in STEM.  Integrated programs combine and align several interventions with the goal of countering the persistent underrepresentation of low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented minority students...

American Behavioral Scientist to Devote Edition to Pullias Center Research
 
An upcoming special edition of American Behavioral Scientist (ABS) will be devoted to exploring the efficacy of two comprehensive college transition programs studied by The Pullias Center: The Thompson Scholars Learning Community (TSLC) and the California State University STEM Collaboratives.  The research articles for the special edition are available in the journal's 'OnlineFirst' section of their website and will be in print soon. 
 
See Pullias Research in ABS
New Book: Higher Education Administration for Social Justice and Equity
 
A new book edited by Pullias Center director Adrianna Kezar and Pullias Center faculty member Julie Posselt empowers all administrators in higher education to engage in their work - to make decisions, hire, mentor, budget, create plans, and carry out other day-to-day operations - with a clear commitment to justice, sensitivity to power and privilege, and capacity to facilitate equitable outcomes. Rich with case studies and pedagogical tools, this book connects theory to practice, and is an invaluable resource for current and aspiring administrators.
 
Event: Math Equity Convening at the Pullias Center on November 11  
 
We are holding a Math Equity Convening at the University of Southern California's University Park campus and online.  Dr. Tatiana Melguizo and Dr. Federick Ngo will share the results of a project that measures the equity costs of college readiness standards misalignment in community colleges.
A Look Back: Last Year's Delphi Award Winners  
 
The center will soon be releasing case studies that delve into the two recently announced Delphi Award winning projects from teams at Santa Monica College and the Penn State University system.  That makes now a great time to look back at the case studies for last year's winners from Harper College and Cal State University, Dominguez Hills.
Meet Pullias Researchers at ASHE 2019 
 
The 44th annual conference of the Association for the Study of Higher Education takes place Nov. 13-16, 2019, in Portland, Oregon.  Pullias Center researchers and faculty will be presenting on a wide variety of topics from "Inclusion in Geosciences" to "Campus Law Enforcement." We invite all conference attendees to visit our team members throughout the event.
Pullias in the Media
The Projects and People Making News
  • Inside Higher Ed took a closer look at the new book out by Pullias Center director Adrianna Kezar and co-authors Tom DePaola and Daniel T. Scott
  • The Garage Board Shop, one of the "hubs" for our Skateboarding Culture and Education study, was featured again on CBS News 
  • Education Dive: K12 posted a feature story on our skateboarding culture study.
Guest Editors' Recommended Reads
4 Things to Add to Your Reading List   
 
Kezar, A., & Maxey, D. (2014). Faculty matter: So why doesn't everyone think so? Thought & Action, 30, 29-44. (link)
 
Cuyjet, M. J. (2016). Multiculturalism on campus: theory, models, and practices for understanding diversity and creating inclusion (2nd ed.). Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing. (link)  
 
Banerjee, A. V., & Duflo, E. (2012). Poor economics: A radical rethinking of the way to fight global poverty. New York: PublicAffairs.( link)  
 
Stewart, D. L. (2011). Multicultural student services on campus: building bridges, re-visioning community. Sterling, VA: Stylus Pub. (link) 
 
Quick Takes
Additional Pullias Center News
  • Event Reminder: Become a Facilitator of Holistic Review Workshops
  • The Pullias Center took high school students who are being mentored for college transition and success through our IAM program on a field trip to local colleges for admissions tours
We will be back next month
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