Opportunity by Design
Creating learning environments that acknowledge and respond to the complexities of college students’ lives
The Opportunity by Design implementation guide equips postsecondary institutions with practical strategies to accommodate the complexities of students’ lives, with special attention to the experiences of adult students.
The practice recommendations are based on 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.
Two deep dives offer additional context on HBCCs and PBCCs and insights into a promising practice for supporting students:
Mapping Opportunity provides more information about the vital work of historically and predominantly Black colleges and universities, including an interactive map of their locations across the country.
Redesigning Opportunity explores an additional, promising strategy for how college courses can be restructured and redesigned 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 Learners of Color Initiative.
