From Theory to Practice: Leveraging Identity-Conscious Student Success Strategies to Close Opportunity Gaps for Black Undergraduate Students

Abstract:The purpose of this article is to show how scholars and practitioners can come together to address opportunity gaps for Black students at Michigan State University. The authors detail identity-conscious student success strategies within Reason and Kimball's model of theory to practice used by a group of Black faculty and staff. Among the specific strategies and initiatives were: community development, Welcome Black Week, Soul Food Fridays, and Sankofa Summit. Each strategy also provided increased opportunities for Black students to interact with Black faculty and staff outside of formal classroom settings. The authors conclude with recommendations for other institutions interested in similar approaches.