SUNY Cobleskill chosen for national initiative

The Daily Star, Oneonta, N.Y.
·2 min read

Jul. 25—SUNY Cobleskill is one of eight colleges nationwide selected by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities to join its fourth cohort of member institutions participating in the Student Success Equity Intensive.

According to a news release from the college, the multiyear initiative "is designed to help increase the academic success of Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and low-income students, as well as address the equity gaps these demographics experience." The initiative is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

"Being selected as a member institution of the SSEI is a privilege and will help us greatly in our mission to make education accessible for all students, but especially those from historically underserved populations," said Marion Terenzio, president of SUNY Cobleskill. "Working with AASCU and other member institutions will give us the tools to enhance our support systems through an ecosystem of shared information and ideas that will ensure every student has the resources they need to have a successful college experience at Coby."

After an application process, AASCU selected Cobleskill for it's newest SSEI cohort, along with Adams State University of Colorado, East Georgia State College, Missouri State University, North Carolina A&T State University, SUNY Potsdam, Western Michigan University and Winona State University of Minnesota, according to the release.

"We are proud to add this new cohort to the SSEI program to help more institutions close equity gaps among Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and low-income students," said Jacquelyn R. Jones, AASCU's assistant vice president for student success. "Addressing barriers that preclude achievement is instrumental in helping diverse students succeed during and after college."

Participating SSEI schools are required to assemble a team of campus leaders that includes presidents, provosts, and student success and data experts. During the team-learning experience, "schools receive customized support to help them make data-driven decisions that center the realities of Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and low-income students. Throughout the program, members become better equipped to tackle the barriers these students face, so they no longer stand in the way of academic achievement," the release stated.

Cohort members participate in in-person and virtual learning with peers at other institutions, having access to resources such as webinars and online modules. Additionally, SSEI provides access to subject matter experts who can offer advice on equity, student success, analytics, advising, institutional transformation, and systems and strategic planning.

SSEI is made up of institutions with rural, suburban and urban campuses from around the country. The latest cohort includes one Hispanic-serving institution, one predominantly Black institution, and one historically Black college and university. The selected institutions serve 57,402 students with an average Pell eligibility of 37.50%. Including this fourth cohort, 60 colleges are members of SSEI, according to the release.