The pathway to college completion remains filled with barriers that disproportionately impact first-generation students, adult learners, and historically underserved communities. But what if these obstacles aren't inherent to students themselves, but rather embedded in our educational systems?
Meacie Fairfax, Strategy Director at Complete College America, brings both personal experience and professional expertise to this conversation about transforming higher education. Drawing from her own journey as a student who encountered numerous barriers to completion, Fairfax offers a compelling vision for how institutions can redesign themselves around student success.
"We have to make sure that our supports, our structures, our pathways match the reality of our students," Fairfax emphasizes, challenging the traditional model that expects students to navigate broken systems. From reconsidering gateway courses to implementing flexible schedules that accommodate working students and caregivers, these structural changes can dramatically improve outcomes.
The conversation pulls back the curtain on how effective institutions approach student success. Data transparency emerges as a powerful catalyst—"Institutions that publicly share completion equity gaps shift faster," Fairfax notes. Rather than relying solely on metrics like GPA, leaders should ask deeper questions about where and why students encounter obstacles. This approach shifts the focus from "fixing students" to fixing systems.
Complete College America's framework encompasses four pillars—purpose, momentum, support, and structure—providing a comprehensive roadmap for institutional transformation. For leaders looking to begin this journey, Fairfax recommends starting with data analysis and collaborative campus-wide conversations that help everyone see themselves in the work of student success.
Ready to reimagine how your institution approaches college completion? Listen now to discover practical strategies that can transform educational pathways and create more equitable outcomes for all students.

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