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Culturally-affirming Academic Pathways for Social Justice Change

SCC continues to explore ways to deepen our commitment to equity, and to improve outcomes for our disproportionately impacted students in achieving their academic goals.

We need you, our faculty and staff, to work collaboratively to provide your input and inquiries to the development of an emerging initiative we are tentatively calling the SAC Institute (Success, Access, Connection).

Executive Summary

Sacramento City College (SCC) faces persistent disparities in student success rates, among disproportionately impacted (DI) groups, particularly Native American, Hispanic/Latinx, Black, and Pacific Islander students. Less than 65% of these students successfully complete courses to earn an Associate Degree for Transfer (AD-T), compared to higher success rates among Asian and White students. These disparities underscore the urgent need for systemic culturally-affirming interventions to address the effects of systemic racism on educational outcomes.

The SAC Institute aims to provide an evidence-based, healing, restorative, and anti-racist academic environment that aligns with SCC’s Student Equity and Achievement Plan. It seeks to increase transfer rates and educational success among DI students by offering culturally responsive instruction and support services.

Objectives

  • Increase two-year transfer rates for DI students.
  • Prepare students for admission to CSUS Black Honors College
  • Increase transfer rates to CSUS, UCs, HBCUs, privates, and minority serving institutions.
  • Build student readiness for four-year degrees while creating lifelong networks.

Institutional goals (within five years)

  • 10% increase in enrollment, retention, course success rates, and AD-T conferment for DI students.

SAC Institute Pillars

  • Intentional Placemaking and Empowerment
  • Culturally responsive instruction
  • Cohort-based pathways
  • Proactive student interventions

Key Components

  • Clear pathways: Structured cohorts and block scheduling designed for degree completion and transfer within two years.
  • Supportive Environment: Support services such as embedded tutoring, dedicated spaces for counseling, cultural engagement, and academic resources.
  • Dedicated Faculty: Instructors with a demonstrated commitment to anti-racist teaching, culturally responsive pedagogy, and equity-minded professional development.
  • Transfer Opportunities: Identified formalized opportunities for transfer including Sac State’s Black Honors College.

Target Population

Disproportionally impacted (DI) students (Chicanx/Latinx, Black, Native American, Pacific Islander) with less than 65% course success rates, including first-time-in-college high school graduates and dual enrollment students.

Next Steps

The SAC Institute will open in Fall 2025 with an initial cohort of 120 students.

Development phases, beginning in Fall 2024, include faculty, classified professionals, students, and managers collaboration to finalize operational, fiscal, and programmatic plans.

Further stakeholder engagement and time to follow.

Get Involved

Want to get involved in the SAC Working Group? Express your interest to your Dean.

SAC Institute Comment or Inquiry

Send us your suggestion or question. You may submit it anonymously.

SAC Institute Comment or Inquiry