William G. Tierney, University Professor Emeritus and the Founding Director of the Pullias Center for Higher Education at the University of Southern California, shares his reflections on the center as we celebrate our 25th Anniversary. This is the first in a series of such reflections from key figures in the center’s past and present that will be shared throughout 2020. […]
A substantial majority of low-income, first-generation and racially-minoritized students begin their college journeys in community colleges. Rigorous empirical research nationwide has documented that a major road block for community college students to earn a certificate, an associate degree (AA), or transfer to a four-year college, is placement in developmental math and English courses. There is a plethora of research documenting […]
In December, 2019, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners gathered at the University of Southern California for a full-day Math Equity Convening hosted by The Pullias Center for Higher Education and facilitated by the center’s own Dr. Tatiana Melguizo to discuss developmental education policies in Los Angeles community colleges and how colleges can successfully adapt to the new demands of AB705 governing […]
This October began with a momentous court decision. U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs ruled in favor of Harvard University in a court case that challenged the consideration of race in the university’s admissions process. The decision vindicated those who have long advocated for race-conscious practices, yet we know that the case is not over. The plaintiff has already appealed […]
A new book, edited by the Pullias Center’s Adrianna Kezar and Julie Posselt, empowers all administrators in higher education to engage in their work with a clear commitment to justice, sensitivity to power and privilege, and capacity to facilitate equitable outcomes. Grounding administration for social justice as a matter of daily work, Higher Education Administration for Social Justice and Equity: […]
The California Consortium for Inclusive Doctoral Education (C-CIDE) is holding a series of workshops with the aim of improving how doctoral programs select and serve the next generation of scientists and engineers. C-CIDE is a network of faculty and administrators across UC-Berkeley, UC-Davis, UC-Irvine, UC-Santa Barbara, and the University of Southern California. It is dedicated to creating a sustainable system […]
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.” As in prior years, the USC Rossier School of Education will host a reception at the conference. […]
Two new research papers from the Pullias Center for Higher Education 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 among those who complete an […]
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 racially minoritized 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. The […]
New research from The Pullias Center for Higher Education 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. Postsecondary institutions often create CCTPs to provide academic and social support for underserved students as they […]