Leveling the Playing Field Promoting Academic Success for Students of Color

Much of the retention literature has focused on "at risk" students of color, especially freshmen whose admission has been facilitated by attenuated entrance requirements. Of course, this population of students has needs that urgently beg to be addressed; however, "regularly" or "traditionally" admitted students of color face college attrition rates that approach or exceed those of their "at risk" peers. Comparatively less attention has been paid to the academically able students of color who are avidly recruited, but for whom programs and services are noticeably lacking. This volume is intAnded to fill a conspicuous void: to provide ideas, narratives, and learnings that have relevance for the retention of all students of color but that can be particularly applied to the retention of regularly admitted students of color. The authors have tried to bring to the fore the work of individuals who are building state-of-the-art programs. Student affairs professionals need to learn from these practitioners' successes and insights how retention programs can become established and institutionally supported rather than remain peripheral efforts run on paltry budgets. This is the 74th issue of New Directions for Student Services. For more information on the series, please see the Journals and Periodicals page.Johnson, Irene Harris is the author of 'Leveling the Playing Field Promoting Academic Success for Students of Color' with ISBN 9780787998653 and ISBN 0787998656.