Opportunity by Design
Opportunity by Design and the accompanying Deep Dives share learnings from the HBCC/PBCC Adult Learner Initiative and offer a guide for postsecondary institutions seeking to improve student outcomes and experiences. These documents highlight the critical work of Black community colleges and share learnings to help all postsecondary institutions create learning environments that acknowledge and respond to the complexities of their students’ lives.
Opportunity by Design is an implementation guide for postsecondary institutions, with recommendations and examples of strategies to support student success.
Recommendations focus on the experiences of adult learners and are informed by the work of Historically Black Community Colleges (HBCCs) and Predominantly Black Community Colleges (PBCCs) across the country – institutions that have historically bridged opportunity gaps and driven social mobility within communities that have long faced systemic barriers to accessing higher education.
Deep Dives
Mapping Opportunity is an introduction to historically and predominantly Black colleges and universities, including an interactive map of their locations across the country.
Redesigning Opportunity is a detailed example of condensed academic terms as a strategy for restructuring and redesigning college courses to help students thrive, with a spotlight on one community college’s experience.
Each institution is unique and the approaches highlighted in these resources are just starting points. Building a successful, inclusive campus requires sustained commitment, collaboration, and continuous learning. As you consider your next steps, we encourage you to keep asking questions, engage with your colleagues, and listen closely to your students.
Resource Spotlight: For further reading, see The Great Eight, a series of case studies showcasing the work of HBCCs and PBCCs in Alabama. The series was developed by Alabama Possible, a partner in the HBCC/PBCC Adult Learner Initiative.
