Academic senates are critical leadership bodies in higher education, setting standards and policies regarding admissions, student preparation, establishing course prerequisites, developing curriculum, and setting grading policies and course guidelines to award degrees. Decisions made by academic senates impact every single undergraduate in the state of California. Academic senates play a tremendous role in whether or not bold policy changes to improve student success are actually implemented, yet these bodies are the least reflective of the students they serve, and that should be unacceptable.
To improve college student success, we need leaders who are willing to be courageous and bold, and who reflect the diversity and understand the needs of today’s students. We cannot afford to lose another generation of Californians who go to college and never realize their college dreams.