EP156: Community Colleges & The Fight for Equity, with Dr. Carrie B. Kisker

Jul 17, 2025

Dr. Carrie Kisker, president of Kisker Education Consulting and director of the Center for the Study of Community Colleges, shares her journey from aspiring soccer player to advocate for educational equity. She discusses the vital role community colleges play in providing access and opportunities for marginalized groups. Kisker addresses current political challenges facing these institutions and the importance of maintaining diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Additionally, she emphasizes the impact of legislation on student support and the value of open dialogue in navigating complex social issues.

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ANECDOTE

From Soccer to Education Research

Carrie B. Kisker dreamed of playing for the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team but shifted her passion to education after college.
Inspired by education classes and mentor Arthur Cohen, she pursued graduate studies focusing on community colleges.

INSIGHT

Community Colleges Enable Group Mobility

The core social role of community colleges is enabling social mobility for marginalized groups, not just individuals.
Without public policy support, these institutions must actively work to level the playing field for structurally barred communities.

INSIGHT

Higher Ed Under Systemic Attack

Community colleges currently face systematic, intentional attacks aimed at dismantling higher education's role in democracy.
Although not always the visible target, community colleges will suffer severe long-term negative effects due to serving marginalized students.

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Today, Diverse sits down with Dr. Carrie Kisker, president of Kisker Education Consulting and director of the Center for the Study of Community Colleges, delving into the critical role of community colleges in providing social mobility for marginalized groups.

Kisker shares her journey from soccer goalkeeper to education researcher, inspired by her mentor Arthur Cohen. In conversation with Diverse host Ralph Newell, she also explores the current challenges facing higher education, including attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Kisker offers insights into how educators, administrators, and students can resist these challenges while maintaining core educational values. She also emphasizes the importance of understanding shared values and communicating the true purpose of DEI initiatives as well as the fight for equity. Furthermore, she dives deep into the fundamental role of community colleges in protecting democratic ideals and providing equitable access to education.

Don’t miss this episode as Kisker discusses institutional autonomy, academic freedom, her summer plans, and more. Tune in now.

KEY POINTS:

- Kisker’s background, growing up in Colorado, and her passion for soccer

- Key inspiration to focus on community colleges, through mentor Arthur Cohen

- The challenges community colleges face in the current US administration

- Public policy and the role of community colleges in helping marginalized groups

- The importance of DEI in higher education

- The significance of students advocating for DEI programs and policies

- The need for institutional autonomy and academic freedom

- Potential elimination of the Pell Grant for part-time students

- How senior leaders can support DEI via connection, resistance, and innovation

- Common misconceptions about DEI

- The difference between equal and equitable distribution of resources

QUOTES:

"There has been a systematic and very intentional effort over many years to tear down the pillars that hold up our system of higher education." – Dr. Carrie B. Kisker

"If we can focus on stakeholder needs and we have a solution that meets one stakeholder's set of needs, but not another's—it's not a real, lasting solution." – Dr. Carrie B. Kisker

"When people are taught how to think critically and for themselves, it threatens autocratic rule." – Dr. Carrie B. Kisker

"We want students to be safe on campus. We do not want to discourage anyone from attending college. We want to do everything we can to help them afford it and be successful in it." – Dr. Carrie B. Kisker

Resources:

Kisker Education Consulting

Center for the Study of Community Colleges

Council for the Study of Community Colleges

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In The Margins is produced by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education and edited by EPYC Media Network (visit at https://www.epyc.co/).