Unapologetic Leadership Thought: Not Debating the Name of the Office Just Advocating for the Work to Continue
by ghubbell | September 15, 2023 | Thoughts | 0 Comments
Around the country, institutions of higher learning are having conversations about diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) offices, programs, and initiatives since they are under attack. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education's data, twenty-two...
Unapologetic Leadership Thoughts: Making Black Student Success Week – This Isn’t a Moment, it’s a Movement
by ghubbell | September 8, 2023 | Thoughts | 0 Comments
The term “equity” (I prefer the term “racial equity”) reverberates throughout academia, and yet, the practice remains elusive for far too many institutions. But words become actions, ideas manifest as tangible events, and change unfolds as we mobilize. Today, I invite...
Unapologetic Thoughts: The Public Confidence in Higher Education
by ghubbell | August 31, 2023 | Thoughts | 0 Comments
While on social media the other day, I saw a meme with the caption: “Found A College Diploma at Goodwill.” This image has been on my mind lately as I continue to wonder how much confidence potential learners have in higher education and, particularly for me, community...
Unapologetic Leadership Thoughts: Managing the Increased Demands of Being a Leader
by ghubbell | August 24, 2023 | Thoughts | 0 Comments
I have been a community college Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for over 12.5 years and am the 12th longest-serving CEO in the California Community College system. Yet, I am still learning about what it takes to do this job. I know that I don’t have all of the answers...
The Realist Thought: Don’t just talk about it, be about it.
by ghubbell | August 21, 2023 | Thoughts | 0 Comments
One of the most profound lessons I've learned in my journey as the President of Compton College is the importance of genuinely immersing oneself in supporting greater racial equity in higher education. We hear the word "equity" and "racial equity" thrown around a lot...
Unapologetic Leadership Thoughts: Strategies to encourage Black students to enroll at your institution
by ghubbell | August 18, 2023 | Thoughts | 0 Comments
Enrollment decline is a real issue affecting higher education institutions nationally. Alarmingly, the disproportionately lower enrollment rates of Black learners continue to decline. Over the last 20 years, 300,000 Black students have been lost from the community...
Unapologetic Leadership Thoughts: Eliminating Barriers and Supporting Student Parents, Unapologetically
by ghubbell | August 17, 2023 | Thoughts | 0 Comments
Ensuring racial equity in our institutions is a core principle of my approach to unapologetic leadership, which is why it is imperative to me to eliminate barriers to access and ensuring students can succeed at our institutions. I’d like to highlight a population that...
Unapologetic Leadership Thought: The Demand for Workers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
by ghubbell | August 11, 2023 | Thoughts | 0 Comments
Earlier this week, I finally had the opportunity to visit the new location of the Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA) Program at Compton College. This year, we are finally receiving funding from the California Community College Chancellor’s Office to...
Unapologetic Leadership Thoughts: It’s Game Time – Let’s Address Transfer Pathways
by ghubbell | August 10, 2023 | Thoughts | 0 Comments
Every day at Compton College, I witness the incredible potential of our students. Many of them come to us as their stepping stone with dreams of transferring to four-year institutions to complete their higher education journey. And yet. Transferring to a four-year...
Unapologetic Leadership Thought: The Path Forward After Affirmative Action
by ghubbell | August 3, 2023 | Thoughts | 0 Comments
SInce the U.S. Supreme Court released its bombshell decision barring the practice of Affirmative Action, I have been mulling over Chief Justice John Roberts’ majority opinion, which stated: “Nothing in this opinion should be construed as prohibiting universities from...
Unapologetic Thoughts: Enrollment Declines and the Value Proposition
by ghubbell | July 28, 2023 | Thoughts | 0 Comments
As the cost of a college education continues to rise and many are feeling the pain of record inflation, we are seeing more people question the value of a postsecondary degree or certificate – all while student loans remain unforgiven (I have a lot to say on student...
Unapologetic Leadership Thoughts: I Always Wanted a Faculty Member Who Looked Like Me
by ghubbell | July 20, 2023 | Thoughts | 0 Comments
While in college and graduate school, I always wanted to take a course with a faculty member that looked like me, no matter how many times that did not happen. I really wanted a faculty member who understood what it is to be a person of color or a Black male on a...
Unapologetic Leadership Thoughts – Holistic Support for Student Success
by ghubbell | July 20, 2023 | Thoughts | 0 Comments
Adequate support for Black learners requires holistic support. Too often, students walk the campuses of some of the most prestigious universities in the world without having their basic needs met. Students of color are most likely to struggle with meeting these needs....
Unapologetic Leadership Thoughts –Supporting First Generation Black Learners
by ghubbell | July 6, 2023 | Thoughts | 0 Comments
Navigating college from the admissions process to graduation is a daunting task and can be especially intimidating for first generation students. Oftentimes, first generation students face lack of close support, less familiarity with the college experience and its...
Unapologetic Leadership Thoughts –Adult Student Completion Among Black Learners
by ghubbell | July 6, 2023 | Thoughts | 0 Comments
Considering the enrollment decline that higher education is facing, recruiting and retaining adult learners has become a key strategy in increasing college-goers. First, I want to begin saying that all of our students are “non-traditional” students. As...
Unapologetic Leadership Thoughts – Affirmative Action in the U.S. Supreme Court
by ghubbell | June 22, 2023 | Thoughts | 0 Comments
As we wait for the decision, I feel it’s important for unapologetic leaders to continue to fearlessly lead our organizations. We also need to make sure once the decision has been made, that we inform our institutions about the decision and any potential impacts....
Unapologetic Leadership Thoughts – The Burden of Student Loan Debt on Black Borrowers
by ghubbell | June 12, 2023 | Thoughts | 0 Comments
In recent days, both chambers of Congress have passed resolutions to overturn President Biden’s student loan forgiveness program and the Supreme Court is set to issue a ruling on the plan later this month, reigniting public debate about the cost and value of...
Unapologetic Leadership Thoughts – Community College Dual Enrollment
by ghubbell | June 5, 2023 | Thoughts | 0 Comments
Dual enrollment can be an integral part of a student's postsecondary path. However, Black students have less access to these programs and enroll at much lower rates than their White peers. According to a Community College Research Center and Aspen Institute report, 12...
Unapologetic Leadership Thoughts – Free Community College Keith Curry, Ed.D.
by ghubbell | May 30, 2023 | Thoughts | 0 Comments
Rising costs and the issue of affordability have pushed many Americans out of higher education. As higher education continues to experience enrollment declines, gaps in enrollment between Black students and their white peers are increasing. To address these issues,...
Unapologetic Leadership Thoughts – Trauma-Informed leadership
by ghubbell | May 25, 2023 | Thoughts | 0 Comments
Keith Curry, Ed.D. Amidst a national mental health crisis, depression and anxiety among Black students have risen at an alarming rate. Overall, 40% of Black students experience mental health issues. The significant effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and challenges of...