Stimulating Community Collaboration and Engagement through Access Committees

Crystal BessixJeremy Jones

Dionne Maxie

• What is an access committee?• Why have an access committee?• How to develop an access

committee?• Case Study & Data• The Model

What is an access committee?

•Group of community members representative of a minority population that build internal and external bridges for the 4C’s of effective community engagement:

•Collaboration•Communication•Cultural Climate•Change

•Liaison to the community and your organization

Why have an access committee?

•To increase the recruitment, access, and persistence of African-American & Latino students in education both K-12 and higher education•Promote a cultural climate within institutions, organizations, and the community•Develop institutional focus and support for minority communities•Create pathways to leadership•Empowerment•Build consensus•Give voice

The Benefits Provide the ability to

conduct research Make policy changes Systematic change Increased community

engagement Active participants Cultural impact

Who can benefit? Parents College Recruiters Researchers Administrators Minority Populations Church leaders Colleges & Universities Nonprofits &

Organizations Businesses Consultants

1. Identify the need and available resources of the targeted gap group e.g. large percentage of black students not enrolling in college

2. Identify liaison internally – someone who responsible is working with students or community

3. Identify community leader externally – principal, teacher, pastor, business owner

4. Gain buy-in from administration5. Financial support from the organization –

budget line item, resource sharing6. Host community forum7. Develop structure

Crafting a Community Access Campaign

•Focus groups conducted•Town Hall Meeting Panelists•Retreat•Cultural Events

•Fiesta de Graduacion•Senior Gala•MLK Day of Service•Activate

•Meetings

The indicators for participation in BEAC and HEAC can no longer be measured by attendance at

events. As a result of the data submitted through

BEAC and HEAC activities and process are now refocused to reflect

diversity, recruitment, access, inclusion and persistence of minority students.

C.A.D.ECouncil for Access & Diversity in

EducationTM

• Development of access committees for further systematic change in higher education institution

• C.A.D.E.T.S TrainingTM – Community leaders as ambassadors for your organization

R.A.P – Strategies for Minority Success To mobilize access committees and

strengthen community engagement Components of Community Access Campaign:• Recruitment - enrollment• Access – right of entry; admission; way in• Persistence – preservation; maintenance;

continuation

A strategic advisory and communications firm dedicated to diversity and access in education.

•Affordable rates•Excellent personalized service•Young and fresh perspective•Unique, innovative solutions•Experience in working with K-12 and higher education

We offer services in:

Diversity Management Marketing Communications

Strategic Planning Training Suite

Contact Us  16516 El Camino Real Ste.111Houston, Texas 77062Office:  281.984.0149 Email: edoppsolutions@live.com

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