Community colleges are a pivotal access point to postsecondary education and serve as an engine of economic mobility for its students. While community colleges’ diversity of students and offerings are one of their greatest strengths, that variety often results in complexity and a lack of clear direction for students. The lack of clear pathways is particularly harmful for the students who have not been exposed to the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the traditional, complex community college system. Due to systemic oppression, that is most often true for students who are low-income, first-generation, and those who identify as Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC).
A critical antidote to the labyrinth of community colleges that disproportionately harms marginalized students is the implementation of Guided Pathways. Guided Pathways is a comprehensive reform approach that helps community colleges address equity by redesigning programs and support services so that all students have clear pathways to living wage jobs.
One of the key aspects of Guided Pathways is grouping similar programs together to create academic and career communities that help students explore potential pathways, forge connections with peers and mentors, and practice skills that support both career and life goals. These “metamajors” can also be designed to address historic inequities in students’ access to these pathways and the barriers that might derail them along their journey.
When shepherding change frameworks like Guided Pathways, it can be challenging to align the intended goals with the specific culture and practices of your institution. WestEd offers a series of free resources to support educators and leaders in the development of metamajors, along with corresponding classroom strategies and student supports, in ways that correct inequities and improve student outcomes.
Overview of the Framework
This six-minute video provides a short explanation of strategies to help students select and succeed in academic and career pathways.
Role-Specific Guidance
These practice guides explain how people in various community college positions can implement the core tenants of metamajor redesign in their daily work.
Administrators | Advisors | Articulation Officers | Faculty
Canvas module introducing metamajor redesign through a faculty lens
In under 10 minutes, the module walks faculty members through the framework, assesses existing efforts, and provides practices from the field that support student journeys to their career and college goals. You’ll also find resources including a practice guide, overview video and a one pager summarizing the important role of faculty in helping students to imagine their future, connect with like-minded communities and practice their skills. Note: this module requires a California community college Canvas account.
See the Most Common Metamajors at Your College and Who is Enrolled
Using common metamajor groupings, see the proportion of students earning awards in various disciplines and the degree to which pathways vary based on race, sex, and certificates versus degrees.
