A statewide group that promotes college readiness and access for underrepresented students including Latinos and African-Americans is urging elected officials and university leaders to sharpen their focus on improving faculty and student support at Florida’s public universities.

In a report released today, ENLACE (ENgaging Latino, African-American, and other Communities for Education) Florida, a network funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, observed that the state’s university system is at or near capacity, tenured professors are leaving the state, and the push to increase production of undergraduate degrees is falling short of the need for a talented work force.

Besides expanding access, the group notes, the state university system must improve quality by targeting investments in student support services designed to increase retention and dedicate resources to faculty recruitment, retention and research.

To read the full report, click here.

Donna Winchester, higher education reporter