Message from Dr. Belinda S. Miles: Improving Outcomes through Data-Informed Practices
October 7, 2022
Colleagues,
SUNY Westchester Community College engages in data-informed practices. Whether through our annual Study of Graduates or analyzing recent cohort progress, data enables us to identify student and institutional success as well as areas that require attention or deeper analysis.
As the college continues its celebration of Latin American Heritage Month, today we feature a snapshot of achievement among our Hispanic/Latinx student population and the college’s role in helping to reduce economic and educational inequities in our community.
SUNY Westchester Community College continues to attract a large percentage of Hispanic students – 42.4% in 2021 vs. 34.6% in 2017. Additionally, our recruitment of Hispanic students into STEM fields continues to grow. This is important because of Hispanic/Latinx population trends in Westchester (25.9%) and the Bronx (56.4%) and because of high industry demand for individuals with credentials in STEM disciplines. Your contributions to student success have also impacted graduation rates for this population of students. Comparing the 2018 and 2016 cohorts, there has been a 10-point increase in just two years, 26% vs. 16%.
As a Hispanic and Minority Serving Institution and an Achieving the Dream institution, we are working intentionally to redesign programs, services, and even curriculum to be culturally responsive and to help more students succeed. While we are clearly a Hispanic and Minority enrolling Institution, we must monitor our performance metrics to determine how effective we are as a Hispanic and Minority Serving Institution.
As we celebrate our successes, we must focus on who is missing, as well. For example, while enrollment of our Hispanic students has been increasing since Fall 2017, enrollment of Black students has been declining over the past several years – 17.8% in 2021 vs. 21.1% in 2017. Additionally, and following the national trend, enrollment of Black male students at SUNY WCC has decreased by 4.4 percentage points when comparing Fall 2016 to Fall 2021 with 18.6% and 14.2% respectively.
As we continue to analyze recruitment, retention, and completion by demographic group, we must be mindful that we are creating equitable opportunities for college success and economic mobility for all students who choose SUNY Westchester Community College. Our mission and values guide our work as we ask ourselves the following questions.
- Do all groups feel a sense of belonging and support?
- Our retention data reveals that many students come to us with great expectations and leave without a degree or credential. What does this mean for their lives and livelihood?
- What does this stopping/dropping out mean for the future workforce?
- What does this mean for our work?
As these warmer days remind me of the now bygone summer and my experience at the Arthur Ashe Stadium viewing the US Open, I am reminded of a quote by the tennis legend, “Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.” Our data shows us where we are. Let’s see where we can go as we continue our work together for our students.
Dr. Belinda S. Miles
President