Minority-Serving Institutions—Models of Success

Request for Proposals

On March 31, 2009, Lumina Foundation for Education issued a Request for Proposals to launch its Minority-Serving Institutions-Models of Success program. Seeking to dramatically increase college completion, especially among first-generation students, low-income students and students of color, the MSI-Models of Success program aims to partner with MSIs and other organizations to improve and document increased postsecondary attainment. Institutions and organizations that embrace a collective MSI success agenda are encouraged to apply.

Lumina Foundation especially invites proposals involving two or more MSI institutions and/or organizations with MSI expertise.

There are five objectives of the MSI-Models of Success program:

To improve the capacity of MSIs to collect, analyze and use data to inform decisions that will promote student success.
To create a collective voice for policy advocacy on behalf of MSIs.
To strengthen policy and practice to improve developmental education.
To increase MSIs' commitment to transparency and effectiveness in improving student learning outcomes.
To increase the postsecondary completion of traditionally underserved students, especially men of color.

Lumina Foundation is focused on increasing the number and proportion of Americans who earn postsecondary degrees and credentials. Our goal is to raise the percentage of the U.S. adult population who earn high-quality college degrees and credentials from the current rate of 39 percent to 60 percent by the year 2025. If we are to reach this goal, achievement rates among the nation's most underserved and underrepresented students must rise dramatically. For more than a century, the best MSIs have been deeply engaged in the success of their students. This engagement, which typically is achieved with limited financial resources, can provide important lessons for all colleges and universities.

Please use the following forms to complete your application for the Minority-Serving Institutions-Models of Success program. Proposals must be completed and all supporting documents must be submitted (either in writing or via e-mail) by June 8, 2009. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.