Access, Engagement and Belonging

The Council’s access, engagement and belonging (AEB) efforts are foundational to providing students the opportunity to receive a rich and fulfilling educational experience enhanced by exposure to the different perspectives and cultures of those around them.

Understanding Definitions

CPE's AEB efforts are grounded on the following definitions. 

Access

Providing opportunities for students from varied backgrounds, such as first-generation, adult learners, under-resourced students, underrepresented students, or students with disabilities, access postsecondary education.

Engagement

Policies and practices that increase student engagement during their postsecondary experience. Strategies include those ensuring all students are engaged in activities that support retention, persistence, completion, and removing barriers that work against these goals.

Belonging

Policies and practices that foster an environment or campus climate where all members of the campus community feel they are connected and valued, and where the sharing of differing perspectives is encouraged and supported.

Promoting AEB Professional Development

The goal of AEB professional development is to help campus personnel and students become more culturally competent, empathetic, and self-aware. The Council provides several ways to incorporate proactive professional development at every level of the organization. 

Academic Leadership Development Institute (ALDI)

Selected annually, ALDI is a learning community of early career faculty and staff from varied backgrounds who are on track for professional advancement. The program provides participants opportunities to learn from experts and each other about topics trending in higher education. Learn more about ALDI.

Committee on Equal Opportunities

The Council has been involved in equal opportunity planning since 1981 when the Commonwealth was asked by the U. S. Office for Civil Rights to develop a voluntary desegregation plan. The goal of the Kentucky plan is to have a student-centered postsecondary system that affords equitable access, opportunity and success regardless of social, ethnic, or economic circumstances.

By legislated mandate, the Council's Committee on Equal Opportunities (CEO) oversees this plan. Committee membership includes Council members, faculty and the general public. The Committee, which meets four times a year, reviews institutional progress and makes recommendations for equal opportunities policy improvements to the Council.

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Guiding Legislation

• CPE as the agency ensuring equal opportunity access to higher education - KRS 164.540
• Degree program approval and meeting equal opportunity goals - 13 KAR 2:060

Meetings and Records

• Upcoming meetings schedule
• Archive of meeting records, including agendas, materials and livestreams

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Statewide Policy for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Established by KRS 164.020 (19), the Statewide Policy for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, applicable to state universities and KCTCS, focuses on improvement in three key areas:

• Recruitment and enrollment of diverse students.
• Student progression and success.
• Campus climate, inclusiveness and cultural competency.

The goal of the policy is to create an accountability framework that address the needs of and support the success of all students, particularly those most affected by institutional and systemic inequity and exclusion. 

Policy and Framework

• Statewide Diversity Policy
• Diversity Plan Rubric: Universities
• Diversity Plan Rubric: KCTCS

Assessment of Progress

• 2023 DEI Assessment: Best Practices in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Council's Role

Annually, the Council's Committee on Equal Opportunities oversees development and the implementation of institutional plans. Institutions are required to present these to the committee for review, feedback and approval prior to implementation. Once approved by the Committee, the plans are presented to the Council for review.