Four HBCUs Launch Faculty Training Pilot to Boost Graduation Rates

The initiative targets Lawson State, Coahoma, Baton Rouge, and Delgado community colleges, providing faculty with a comprehensive certification course focused on active learning and inquiry-driven pedagogy. This effort stems from the broader CCA Accelerator project, which is supported by the Gates Foundation to implement structural changes at institutions serving historically underserved populations.

Data from the National Center for Education Statistics highlights a persistent struggle for community college students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds. Research suggests that the quality of student-faculty interaction remains a primary driver for retention. A 2026 study from Sam Houston State University supports this, showing that instructors holding ACUE certification achieved a 3.33 percentage-point reduction in DFW rates—withdrawals or failing grades—compared to their non-certified peers.

Beyond the initial certification cohort, faculty and staff at the four schools will gain access to ACUE Commons. This platform offers ongoing professional development and endorsements in emerging fields, including artificial intelligence in higher education and workforce readiness. Yolanda Watson Spiva, president of CCA, emphasized that while financial barriers are often the focus of completion debates, investing in instructional quality provides a direct, scalable lever for institutions to improve student outcomes.