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Higher Ed Toolkit

Tools & action plans for building a racially just higher ed system

We’re collaborating across colleges and higher-ed institutions to build and share best practices and advocacy for a higher-ed system that honors the unique voices, goals, talents, and needs of Minnesota’s POCI students.

We hope you’ll join us in using this toolkit to build a stronger, more racially just higher-education system in Minnesota.

In this Toolkit

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What does racial equity
in higher education look like?

Race equity is a path from hope to justice— where People of Color and Indigenous people (POCI) use their personal agency to build systems of healing and liberation that uplift and value the human dignity of all people.

Race equity in higher education means the humanity of POCI students is honored and celebrated in all education spaces, and the racial predictability and disproportionality of student achievement is eliminated.

Building commitments and
meaningful collaborations

What you can do right now to build a more racially just higher-ed system

Building a more just higher ed system in Minnesota is a moral and economic imperative.

The Minnesota Legislature has a target goal to increase the percentage of Minnesotans age 25 to 44 who have attained a postsecondary certificate or degree to 70 percent by 2025.

To get close to there, it’s critical higher ed institutions commit to undoing systemic barriers and design education spaces that increase college access, retention, and completion for POCI students.

Sign the Race Equity Compact

Join a growing group of higher-ed leaders and colleges and higher-ed institutions across Minnesota making an intentional, ongoing commitment to transform Minnesota’s higher-ed institutions to be racially just, culturally responsive, and accessible for Minnesota’s students of color and Indigenous students.

Commit now

Connect with other higher-ed race equity advocates

MnEEP’s College Race Equity Advocacy Advisory Council (CREAAC) is a state-wide multiracial group of researchers, policymakers, higher-ed leaders and faculty, and race equity advocates collaborating to direct, lead, and build evidence-informed new polices and best practices for racial equity in higher ed.

Let’s collaborate
Graphic Illustration Of A Diverse Group Talking About Education Equity Planning

Four ways Minnesota must take action now

Key policies for advancing racial equity across higher-ed institutions

MnEEP’s recent research shows Minnesota must advance equity-centered policies and practices in four key areas right now to build higher-ed spaces that honor and support POCI students in their higher-ed journey.

1. Financial aid reform

Minnesota’s financial-aid policies are outdated. It’s critical we work to build new policies new that center the goals and needs of POCI students.

Building financial-aid reform

2. Anti-racist practices

Minnesota’s colleges must do the work to build anti-racist policies and practices in every area—from leadership positions to public narratives.

Building anti-racist practices

3. Holistic student supports

Minnesota must redesign the student experience at all levels to support working students, first-generation students, and students of color and Indigenous students.

Designing holistic student supports

4. Developmental ed reform

Minnesota must reassess its antiquated developmental ed standards and testing requirements to increase college access, retention, and degree attainment for POCI students.

Advancing dev ed reform

Links & Resources

This will be an ongoing list of links, resources, and tools CREAAC has supported and developed to advance best practices and policies for racial equity in higher ed.

Race Equity Glossary

Check out MnEEP’s Race Equity Glossary to learn critical terms for centering racial equity in education.

Learn More

CREAAC

Learn more about CREAAC and how we’re collaborating for meaningful change.

Learn More

Culturally Validating Pedagogy & Leadership

Learn about how building Culturally Validating Pedagogy & Leadership (CVP/L) can advance racial equity at your college or institution.

Register for Event

Higher Ed News & Updates

Minnesota must address the racial inequities of student debt

Ensuring critical student consumer protections while working to demystify student debt is essential if Minnesota wants to ensure racial equity in college access and reduce the disproportionate debt POCI students face.

Read More
Graphic Illustration Representing The Big Bold Idea Of Financial Aid Reform For Higher Education Equity
Statewide Higher Ed Convening Recap
Free college: A win for racial equity in Minnesota
Event: Building Relationships & Best Practices for Racial Equity in Higher Education
Higher Ed Convening: Join us June 16
Call to Action: The Board of Regents and the U of M
Higher-ed convening
MnEEP Call to Action: Minnesota deserves a racially equitable higher-ed system now
MnEEP Legislative Priorities Part 3: Supporting advanced learning for POCI students
MnEEP Legislative Priorities Part 1
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MNSCU) must recommit to the 2030 Equity Promise
MLatino Media video screenshot with subtitles saying a este estado que estaba lejos
New video pays tribute to MnEEP Executive Director Carlos Mariani Rosa’s essential leadership in Minnesota
When is a question not a question: On the issue of “too diverse”

Join Us!

You can advance education equity in Minnesota

We’re transforming practices, policies, and public narratives to build an education system—and a Minnesota—where everyone can build the lives they deserve.

Join CREAAC

Become a Member

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Advance racial equity at your school or district

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