Graduation Term
Spring 2025
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Department of Educational Administration and Foundations: Educational Administration
Committee Chair
Mohamed Nur-Awaleh
Committee Member
John Rugutt
Committee Member
Ryan Smith
Abstract
This quantitative descriptive analysis investigates reported institutional spending and associated equity gaps for underrepresented minority (URM) students in Illinois community colleges from FY2017-FY2021. Guided by Critical Sensemaking (CSM) theory, the study examines correlations between targeted expenditures and enrollment and completion outcomes for Black and Latinx undergraduate students. Utilizing data from Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) Underrepresented Groups (URG) reports, this research identifies patterns in institutional financial commitments toward equity initiatives, analyzing their relationship to enrollment and completion disparities. Key findings reveal substantial variability in institutional spending directed toward underrepresented minorities, despite statewide mandates and strategic goals focused on reducing equity gaps. Additionally, this analysis identifies limited correlation between reported URM-focused spending and improvements in enrollment and completion outcomes, suggesting a disconnect between financial investments and measurable student success. The findings underscore the necessity of structured accountability frameworks that connect resource allocation explicitly to equity outcomes, along with increased practitioner access to data and resources supporting equity-driven decision-making. Through use of an interpretative CSM framework, this study highlights how governance culture influences institutional responses to equity initiatives. Recommendations emphasize adopting more transparent, data-informed accountability frameworks to ensure equity investments effectively address enrollment and completion disparities for underrepresented minority students in Illinois community colleges.
Access Type
Dissertation-Open Access
Recommended Citation
Bond, Terrance Marshall, "Reframing Equity Gaps: A Descriptive Analysis of Reported Spending for Underrepresented Minorities at Illinois Community Colleges" (2025). Theses and Dissertations. 2116.
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/etd/2116
