EP156: Community Colleges & The Fight for Equity, with Dr. Carrie B. Kisker
Release Date: 07/17/2025
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info_outlineToday, Diverse sits down with Dr. Carrie Kisker, president of Kisker Education Consulting and director of the Center for the Study of Community Colleges, delving into the critical role of community colleges in providing social mobility for marginalized groups.
Kisker shares her journey from soccer goalkeeper to education researcher, inspired by her mentor Arthur Cohen. In conversation with Diverse host Ralph Newell, she also explores the current challenges facing higher education, including attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Kisker offers insights into how educators, administrators, and students can resist these challenges while maintaining core educational values. She also emphasizes the importance of understanding shared values and communicating the true purpose of DEI initiatives as well as the fight for equity. Furthermore, she dives deep into the fundamental role of community colleges in protecting democratic ideals and providing equitable access to education.
Don’t miss this episode as Kisker discusses institutional autonomy, academic freedom, her summer plans, and more. Tune in now.
KEY POINTS:
- Kisker’s background, growing up in Colorado, and her passion for soccer
- Key inspiration to focus on community colleges, through mentor Arthur Cohen
- The challenges community colleges face in the current US administration
- Public policy and the role of community colleges in helping marginalized groups
- The importance of DEI in higher education
- The significance of students advocating for DEI programs and policies
- The need for institutional autonomy and academic freedom
- Potential elimination of the Pell Grant for part-time students
- How senior leaders can support DEI via connection, resistance, and innovation
- Common misconceptions about DEI
- The difference between equal and equitable distribution of resources
QUOTES:
"There has been a systematic and very intentional effort over many years to tear down the pillars that hold up our system of higher education." – Dr. Carrie B. Kisker
"If we can focus on stakeholder needs and we have a solution that meets one stakeholder's set of needs, but not another's—it's not a real, lasting solution." – Dr. Carrie B. Kisker
"When people are taught how to think critically and for themselves, it threatens autocratic rule." – Dr. Carrie B. Kisker
"We want students to be safe on campus. We do not want to discourage anyone from attending college. We want to do everything we can to help them afford it and be successful in it." – Dr. Carrie B. Kisker
Resources:
Center for the Study of Community Colleges
Council for the Study of Community Colleges
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Closed captioning and live show transcription are available in the video for this episode.
In The Margins is produced by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education and edited by EPYC Media Network (visit at https://www.epyc.co/).