How Universities Can Build and Sustain Welcoming and Equitable Campus Environments

The Campaign for College Opportunity is pleased to continue our Affirming Equity, Ensuring Inclusion, Empowering Action series, which highlights policies and practices that promote targeted solutions for the college preparation, admission, affordability, and success of Latinx, Black, Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (NHPI), and American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) students. Our latest brief, How Universities Can Build and Sustain Welcoming and Equitable Campus Environments, outlines the imperative for higher education institutions and allies to create welcoming and equitable campus environments to foster student success and ensure every student, regardless of their background or zip code, can access and thrive in higher education.

To meet the needs of our growing multiracial democracy, it is critical for higher education institutions to invest in culturally responsive support services, eliminate barriers to access and success, and nurture a sense of belonging for all students. This includes developing inclusive policies, expanding financial aid, and building programs that address the unique challenges faced by minoritized students.

Universities must also prioritize the recruitment, retention, and advancement of diverse faculty and staff, ensuring representation at every level of the institution. By advocating for equity in academic programs and campus life, colleges can cultivate environments that embrace collaboration, foster inclusion, and empower students to realize their full potential.

Creating sustainable and welcoming campuses requires ongoing commitment, from investing in community partnerships to engaging students in decision-making processes to fostering cross-cultural understanding. Only by centering equity and inclusion can universities create safe spaces where all students feel supported, valued, and empowered to succeed.