The Equity Project

This AAC&U equity and inclusion initiative is in accordance with efforts at Morgan State University (MSU) to grow the future and lead the world. The initiative also aligns with Morgan’s Strategic Goal of enhancing the success of all students. The mission of Morgan is to offer a comprehensive range of undergraduate programs and a select set of graduate programs to a broad cross section of students in a supportive environment that encourages research and service directed towards the needs of underserved communities. The University’s vision is to be recognized statewide and nationally for expanding student access, effective teaching, contributions to doctoral level research, and service to underserved populations. Promoting student learning and success and faculty scholarship and research are Morgan's core values.

Given the University’s mission and vision, as well as the student population served, our records demonstrated our university commitment to the underserved and under-represented students, and the diverse environments from which they come, as well as Dr. Wilson’s commitment to diversify Morgan’s student population by 2021. This project is designed to increase participation in High Impact Practices (HIPs), increase course completion and retention rates, increase student understanding of guided learning pathways through advising structures, and establish a culture of inclusive excellence.

Morgan State University is a public university. Its academic units include the College of Liberal Arts, and the Schools of Architecture and Planning; Business and Management; Community Health and Policy; Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences; Education and Urban Studies; Engineering; Graduate Studies; and Social Work. The undergraduate program is built upon the liberal arts. Baccalaureate degrees are offered in a variety of fields within the various college/schools. Based on Morgan’s fall-2008-cohort’s retention and graduation data, the University’s specific goal for the Equity Project Goal is to increase the retention rate of African American females from 72% to 78%. However, the University is committed to increasing the retention for all students by 6%. Each of the strategic objectives will be examined within the context of equity-mindedness, which according to Dowd & Bensimon (2014), should actively engage in perspective-taking that motivates academics to affirm and empower students of color.” Since a majority (79%) of Morgan students is represented as those who are considered racial minorities and who are considered economically, educationally, and racially under-represented, deliberating creating an inclusive educational and academic context will be important in Morgan’s achieving its five strategic goals.