Office of Student Equity & Success

Student Equity at Merced College

While equality means treating every student the same, equity means making sure every student has support to reach academic, personal, career and social success. The Merced College Student Equity Committee is guided by an equity mindset to help students achieve success. Our definition includes an awareness that many groups in our society, based on race, ethnicity, gender identity, socio-economic status and other factors, have been historically excluded or marginalized from educational opportunities. Thus, we use qualitative and quantitative data to critically examine the ways in which, how, and when our most underserved students are being impacted, with an end goal of turning data into practical approaches to close achievement gaps.

Student Equity Goals

• Increase Enrollment by 3%
• Increase Persistence (Fall to Spring) by 5%
• Increase Course Completion (Transfer Math & English) by 12%
• Increase Degree Completion (Associates & Certificates) by 15%
• Increase Transfer (CSU & UC) by 7%

About the Student Equity Plan

The Merced College Student Equity Plan is a framework of principles, targeted goals and efforts, activities, and also embodies a commitment to maintaining equitable programs and services. Ensuring access and success for all students is the crux of this plan and is integrated in the College’s mission, policy, and strategic objectives.

Counseling Services at Student Equity Center

Counselors are located at the Student Equity Center who work to help students achieve academic, personal, and social success. A primary function of counseling is to plan and execute a program of study that appropriately reflects the interests, potential, and motivation of students. This function is best accomplished by counselor’s maintaining an open and flexible response to varied student population.