Overview

As of July 2022, 38.6 million Americans—14 percent of the adult population in that year—had completed some college without earning a degree. Rural students and students of color are disproportionally represented in this “some college no degree” (SCND) population.

This project, in partnership with The Institute of College Access & Success (TICAS), focuses on identifying contributing factors to the SCND phenomenon among students of color in rural communities and codeveloping with rural colleges evidence-based interventions to reengage these students and help them finish earning their credentials. Working with rural Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic-Serving Institutions in the rural South and Southwest, MDRC will meet with students and staff members at each college to learn more about their goals, support colleges in developing program and logic models to support student success, and help schools build their data infrastructure.

The findings from this project will include best practices for rural, minority-serving institutions and lessons for all rural practitioners looking to support college access and success efforts.