Unlocking Opportunity through Broadly Accessible Institutions

This groundbreaking resource highlights the unique mission and purpose of bachelor’s degree granting accessible institutions (BAIs), exploring the challenges and opportunities present within these institutions, and offering a counterpoint to the current dialogue that frames these institutions with a deficit-perspective. Featuring a broad range of esteemed and influential voices in the field of higher education, policy research, and administration, this unique collection argues that BAIs are an important but overlooked category of institutions in American post-secondary education, and demonstrates the critical role that BAIs play in the higher education landscape, distinct from traditional community colleges and elite universities. Chapters cover key issues such as educational policy, leadership opportunities, faculty, the role of geography, racial equity, and developmental education. Ultimately, this edited volume challenges damaging assumptions about the organizational nature, purpose, and role of BAIs in shaping educational opportunity for diverse student populations, and therefore contributes valuable scholarship to the ongoing dialogue and debate around achieving equity in higher education access in the United States.

Table of Contents:
Part I: Overview of Broadly Accessible Bachelor’s Granting Institutions 1 Introduction: Broadly Accessible Colleges and Universities Gloria Crisp, Kevin R. McClure, and Cecilia M. Orphan 2 Questioning Assumptions about Accessible Bachelor’s Granting Institutions Gloria Crisp, Rebecca Robertson, and Anthony J. Garrison-Engbrecht 3 The Geography of Public Broad Access Universities Nicholas Hillman, Jared Colston, Joshua Bach-Hanson, and Audrey Peek Part II: History and Evolution of Broadly Accessible Institutions 4 The Critical Role of Broad-Access Institutions in Serving Rural Communities: Good as Gold Andrew Koricich and Alisa Hicklin Fryar 5 The Evolving Missions and Functions of Accessible Colleges and Universities Joshua Travis Brown 6 Complicating the Study of Prestige Seeking Among Broad Access Institutions Desiree D. Zerquera 7 Community Colleges and Broad Access Colleges/Universities as Antagonists and Allies in Conferring Baccalaureate Degrees Debra D. Bragg, Elizabeth Apple Meza, and Maria Claudia Soler Part III: Policies and Practices Impacting Leadership and Decision-Making at Broadly Accessible Institutions 8 Supporting Students of Color at Broad Access Colleges and Universities: The Potential of Federal Policy Mike Hoa Nguyen, Sara Boxell, and Cheryl D. Ching 9 Current Trends in Developmental Education Policy and their Implications for Broad Access Institutions Erin Doran 10 Faculty at Broad Access Institutions Karley A. Riffe, Garry D. Morgan II, and Jessie Johns 11 Presidential Leadership at Broad Access Institutions: Analyzing Literature for Current Applications and Future Research Jorge Burmicky and Kevin R. McClure Part IV: Contributions of Broadly Accessible Institutions to Educational Opportunity and Equity 12 The Role of Accessible Colleges and Universities in Promoting Racial Equity in Access to and Completion of Bachelor’s Degrees Jonathan M. Turk 13 Exploring the Intersection between Broad Access Institutions and Transfer Jason L. Taylor, Edén Cortes-López, and Sheena Kauppila 14 Broad Access Institutions in Crisis? Institutional Vulnerability, State Divestment, and the Racial Graduation Gap Barrett J. Taylor and Brendan Cantwell 15 Unlocking Opportunity: Towards a Counter-Narrative of Broadly Accessible Institutions Kevin R. McClure, Cecilia M. Orphan, and Gloria Crisp

About the Author :
Gloria Crisp is Professor of Adult and Higher Education at Oregon State University, USA. Kevin R. McClure is Associate Professor of Higher Education at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, USA and Co-Director of the Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges. Cecilia M. Orphan is Associate Professor of Higher Education at the University of Denver, USA and Co-Director of the Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges.