Enhancing student success in underserved communities

Institutions have made significant strides in evolving student support services to better meet the needs of underserved communities. This shift from a deficiency mindset to an asset-based approach is transforming how colleges and universities engage with and empower their students. In this interview, Buffy Smith, dean of the Dougherty Family College, University of St. Thomas, discusses the evolution of these services, the barriers higher ed leaders must address and the role collaboration plays in the learner ecosystem.