When the Voices of Women Students of Color Are Heard: Resisting Erasure in Higher Education Policy and Practice

A common narrative about women students of color in postsecondary education centers on the fact that they typically outperform men of color on measures such as college access, retention, and persistence. As a result, decision-makers might conclude that women of color do not need additional supports from institutions of higher education. Although they do earn associate's and bachelor's degrees at higher rates than men of color, equity gaps remain between women of color and their White female peers. In addition to barriers related to race, women of color also face barriers related to gender. These intersecting factors contribute to economic, social, and health disparities and challenges that women of color may carry over into their lives as students. In early 2023, MDRC convened a virtual gathering, "Resisting Erasure: Women of Color College Success Research and Practice Roundtable," to address this void. It brought together 24 students, higher education administrators, faculty scholars, and funders from across the country who were interested in advancing knowledge and best practices in postsecondary education regarding the needs of women of color. The goals of the roundtable were to understand more deeply, and hear firsthand about, the disparities, needs, and knowledge gaps regarding women of color; to synthesize knowledge on targeted supports; and to develop recommendations and a research agenda that could help improve postsecondary education and career outcomes. This brief highlights some of the insights distilled from that roundtable, including themes and issues at both the student and institutional levels, recommendations for how to address those issues, and considerations for future action.