Using policy to build equitable Latinx transfer pathways

Abstract

This article describes the change process at East Los Angeles College (ELAC) to address the unique barriers that Latinx students face in transferring to 4‐year institutions. Since 2014, California Community Colleges have had an unprecedented opportunity to target disparities in academic outcomes through the Student Equity Policy (SEP) and its requirement to examine inequity faced by minoritized groups, such as racial/ethnic students, in various academic areas like transfer and degree completion. Through the implementation of this policy, ELAC has made improvements to the conditions and experiences of Latinx students, resulting in improved Latinx transfer success. As scholar‐practitioners, the purpose of our study is to share the process that unfolded at ELAC. In doing so, we focus on understanding how: (a) ELAC developed and implemented these Latinx specific transfer initiatives, (b) the impact and results from these new efforts for Latinx students, and then (c) highlight takeaways for community college practitioners.