SJSU Named to AASCU’s Student Success Equity Cohort

Photo: David Schmitz.

San José State University has been selected to the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU)’s Student Success Equity Intensive (SSEI), a multiyear initiative designed to assist higher education institutions to close equity gaps for Black, Latinx/a/o, Indigenous and low-income students.

There are 18 institutions that make up the third cohort of the SSEI, which is supported by funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. SJSU is the only institution from California in the cohort that was announced November 6.  

“Earning this distinction means that once again San José State will be a leading voice in the national dialogue around closing the equity gap for students,” said SJSU President Cynthia Teniente-Matson. “We are honored to have been selected as this cohort’s only West Coast university, and look forward to collaborating with AASCU and our peer institutions to advance the discussion about promoting access, affordability and opportunity for all students.”

Institutions are selected through a rigorous application process and represent rural, urban and suburban campuses throughout the United States. SJSU is one of six Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) in the cohort, which also includes Asian American Pacific-Islander-serving institutions (AANAPISIs), and a Predominantly Black Institution (PBI). 

According to AASCU’s release regarding the new SSEI cohort, “The SSEI cohort approach involves peer-to-peer learning across institutions via in-person and virtual Student Success Academies. Participants will have access to resources, such as online modules and webinars, and receive support from subject matter experts in data analytics, equity, student success, advising, institutional transformation and strategic and systems planning.” 

“The Student Success Equity Intensive helps level the playing field for student success,” said Jacquelyn R. Jones, AASCU’s assistant vice president for student success. “We enjoy working with AASCU institutions as thought partners as we work tirelessly to close equity gaps and break down barriers for Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and low-income students.”