* Public support of the minority community's role as a critical part of the overall taxpaying community.
* Leadership within the college.
* Retention services organized as a unit to give more visibility, accessibility, and importance.
* Special courses and support services for new and returning students.
* Orientations planned especially for minority students.
* Identification of "at risk" students before they encounter serious academic problems.
* A campus atmosphere that supports minority students' ability to learn.
* Overcoming the barriers of institutional racism that unfortunately still exist throughout American society.
In addition, we need to ensure that institutions offer a more hospitable and accepting learning environment for all cultures and ethnic diversities. Programs designed to assure a smooth transition from inner-city high schools and communities contribute to a positive community college experience. Such efforts can change the perception of college to a place for all students to succeed.
Before us is an opportunity to cultivate academic persistence for individuals who are prone to withdraw from college before achieving their educational goal. We cannot accomplish this task in isolation. We must respond together -- and now!
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