In This Section

Introduction

The Equity and Student Success Committee (ESSC) affirms our ongoing Call to Action for 
Racial Equity and Social Justice at Cuesta College. We remain committed to developing a culture grounded in equity, inclusion, and shared accountability. We will work to identify and remove systemic barriers, promote inclusivity, and ensure equitable outcomes for all students through race-conscious, collaborative, and data-driven action.    

Commitment College Wide

This Call to Action is a collective charge to reflect, engage, and act. It invites all individuals, 
departments, divisions, and programs to take meaningful action by implementing sustainable practices that advance racial equity and social justice in our daily work.  We invite members of our campus community to commit to identifying and implementing one or more actions in your respective area(s) that will help us build a more inclusive and equitable learning community. As your department or committee determines and implements sustainable practice(s), please reflect on the following Racial Equity Priorities.

Disaggregate data by race, ethnicity and other identifiers to understand and 
challenge inequitable systems. 

Integrate equity-focused professional development into campus, division and 
department training (e.g., alternative assessment methods, asset-based 
communication, cultural humility, culturally relevant outreach, mental 
health, trauma-informed practices, and equity-minded leadership). 

Host and support culturally affirming events that strengthen community and 
advance equity-minded practices.

Ensure every student has a clear and supported pathway to success.

Assess and streamline policies and practices to remove barriers to student success.

Our Shared Responsibility

The Equity and Student SuccessCommittee (ESSC) will monitor progress toward implementing the 2025-28 Student Equity Plan and recommend course corrections to ensure transparency and accountability. However, equity is a shared responsibility. Every member of the Cuesta College community—faculty, classified professionals, administrators, and students plays a role in this work. We are each responsible for introspection, questioning our biases and assumptions, and taking action to make our college more inclusive and equitable.

ESSC invites your input and commitment to our shared goals. By the end of each term, please share your plan with the Equity and Student Success Committee—whether as a committee member, department, division, or individual.

Guiding Questions for Equity Practice

As you engage with this Call to Action, please consider:

  1. In assessing strategies, are we operating from a belief in students’ strengths, not their deficits?
  2. Does this strategy challenge inequitable systems or barriers rather than individualize responsibility?
  3. Will this practice support the success of disproportionately impacted, first generation and economically disadvantaged students? What will success look like?
  4. What types of resources, capacity, and support are needed to ensure the success and sustainability of this practice?
  5. What will we do if our efforts unintentionally create or widen equity gaps? How will we know if we’re off track?

Resources:

For more information on the Call to Action for Racial Equity and Social Justice, please contact the co-chairs of the Equity and Student Success Committee.

Christopher Mutshnick and TBD