Overcoming Challenges & Barriers: Supporting BIPOC Students in College and Trade School

WRITTEN BY Sarah Mattie | EDITED BY Jessica Santina | UPDATED ON 07/21/2023

Featuring expert advice from:

Paul Mitchell, Assistant Professor in the Reynolds School of Journalism and Coordinator of Recruitment and Retention at the University of Nevada, Reno

Paula Umaña, Director of Institutional Engagement at the Hope Center

Life can be hard for everyone, but BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) students in college or vocational school can face additional challenges by virtue of their race.

If you're reading this, chances are you're a BIPOC student or someone who wants to support BIPOC students. "Oh great, more advice," you may be thinking. And yes, we're here to provide tips and advice. But we're also here with a realistic mindset. We want to support your success without clichéd advice that's too general or impractical.

That’s why this guide to support BIPOC postsecondary student success goes way beyond the usual—we cover many considerations that BIPOC students have, from economic pressures to unspoken barriers to resources.

In this guide’s chapters, we address BIPOC vs. white experiences in preparation for school as well as during school, offer tips for navigating the system, and hear wisdom from a couple of BIPOC student support experts along the way.

Editor’s Note on Terminology

In this guide, we use some shorthand terminology or phrasing that may be unfamiliar or may not seem totally inclusive. Here are those terms and why they're used:

BIPOC: This stands for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. At the time of writing, this is the accepted acronym when discussing all non-white people.
Indigenous: This umbrella term is used when Native Americans and Alaska Natives aren't differentiated in statistics.
Parents: We recognize that not everyone was raised by their parents or have multiple parents. We're using this as a catch-all term for guardians who raised the students we're speaking to
Postsecondary: An umbrella term for all types of schools after high school
Poverty/Impoverished: These refer to an income level below a specified threshold based on geographic area. "Poverty" and "low income" aren't necessarily the same, as low-income individuals may not always qualify for aid but still struggle to afford needs and wants.