Wendy Sedlak

Jul 17, 2024 | luminafoundation.org | Wendy Sedlak |Jasmine M. Haywood

North Carolina’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) built a distinguished history of serving adult learners with a clear, caring focus on students’ needs—and now they are leading the way for others to follow. Today, with a boost from its 10 accredited HBCUs, North Carolina is at 54 percent overall attainment, with a goal of 66 percent for adults ages 25-44 by 2030. College degree and certificate attainment for students of color are rising, while persistent equity gaps remain.

Jun 17, 2024 | luminafoundation.org | Wendy Sedlak |Ross E. O’Hara

By Wendy Sedlak and Ross O’HaraNot long ago, a college student said in a focus group that they’d rather fail a class than ask a professor for help. Many students in the group nodded in agreement—and they have plenty of company among students who say they’re reluctant to seek help, often until it’s too late.

Aug 15, 2023 | luminafoundation.org | Wendy Sedlak

As my daughter begins her sophomore year of high school, we are starting to think more about college and the complex web of admission requirements. Though I work in higher education, I know very little about what it takes to get into highly selective schools. It’s a black box. But as we figure it out, we have advantages – and that’s the larger problem.

Jul 26, 2023 | luminafoundation.org | Wendy Sedlak

Support services for college students are more than a nice benefit – they’re essential. Resources such as academic advising, financial aid services, and mental health counseling can mean the difference between stopping out and graduating. Though colleges often say they offer all the resources students need to be successful, many students are unaware of these services, don’t realize that they need them, or don’t know how to access them.