INFORMATION FOR
--William Paterson is the only institution in New Jersey chosen in highly competitive process for AASCU’s new Transformation Accelerator Cohort
William Paterson University in Wayne is one of 15 institutions around the country, and the only institution in New Jersey, selected to participate in the newly launched American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Transformation Accelerator Cohort (TAC). The program, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is designed to help institutions eliminate race, ethnicity, and income as predictors of student success.
“As a university that is committed to eliminating achievement gaps by rethinking systems that create barriers for under-represented student populations, William Paterson is honored to be a part of the first AASCU Transformation Accelerator cohort,” says President Richard J. Helldobler. “WP has made great strides on this front, but more needs to be done here and nationally. I am confident that, together with the support of AASCU and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and with a shared commitment to success, this cohort of institutions will make great strides in serving our own Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and low-income students, as well as sharing our successes for the benefit of these populations throughout American higher education.”
Among the participants, representing rural, urban, and suburban areas across the country, are seven Hispanic-serving Institutions (HSIs), including William Paterson University; three historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and Predominately Black Institutions (PBIs); and three Asian American and Native American Pacific-Islander serving Institutions (AANAPISIs). The selected institutions serve 120,525 students (FTE), with an average Pell eligibility of 48 percent.
The two-year, team-based learning initiative is designed to accelerate institutional transformation by providing customized support for making data-informed decisions grounded in students’ realities. As part of the program, William Paterson will assemble a team of campus leaders who will learn best practices to close equity gaps and achieve student success goals for Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and low-income students. Presidential engagement in the model ensures sustainable transformation.
The TAC 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.
“AASCU is proud to be leading the nation on postsecondary student success for America’s New Majority at state colleges and universities,” said AASCU President Mildred García. “For over 50 years, AASCU has partnered with member institutions to deliver on the American promise of access, affordability and educational opportunity. The Transformation Accelerator Cohort articulates an equity imperative to help everyone see their role in ensuring success for Black, Latinx, indigenous and low-income students.”
In addition to William Paterson University, other members of the cohort include Albany State University (Ga.); California State University-Fresno; Central Connecticut State University; College of Staten Island CUNY; Metropolitan State University of Denver; PASSHE/Bloomsburg University, Lockhaven University, Mansfield University (Penn.); SUNY College at Oswego; Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi; Texas A&M Kingsville; Prairie View A&M University (Texas); Texas A&M University System; Texas A&M University-San Antonio; University of Hawaii at Hilo; and University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
