Outskirts Press, INC.

How to Make All Minds Matter in Higher Education Institutions

Access alone does not equate to inclusivity. The Higher Education Act 1965 and subsequent reauthorizations help to make college more accessible for all students, it does not suggest retention or completion of a college degree for all students. Understanding the historical, cultural, social, psychological, and economic dissonances of an ill-informed problem, which have intercepted the completion of a higher education degree for many students, for over 40 years must encompass both the intellectual and personal experiences from an insider’s perspective. The collegiate arena must be inviting to positively promote an all-inclusive learning community where students from all backgrounds can aspire to succeed. Higher education classrooms’ discourse must be intentional to highlight exemplars and images of success captioning students from all backgrounds. Making all minds matter presents the formula to encourage a sense of hope and aspiration, creating the synergy needed, for a world powered by all minds.