Report on Delgado Community College’s Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

Delgado Community College, as Louisiana’s largest institution of its kind, plays a pivotal role in advancing several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With an enrollment of approximately 12,600 students and over 100 academic programs, the college is a key driver for achieving SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Its focus on affordability, flexible learning pathways, and workforce development directly supports the creation of a more sustainable and equitable future for the region.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education

Delgado Community College’s operational model is fundamentally aligned with the principles of SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

• Target 4.3: Equal Access to Affordable and Quality Education: The college provides affordable and flexible educational opportunities, removing significant financial barriers to tertiary education. Dr. Tamika Tyson Duplessis, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, identifies affordability as a primary factor for student enrollment, underscoring the college’s role in making higher education accessible.
• Target 4.4: Relevant Skills for Employment: The curriculum is designed to equip graduates with the necessary skills to either enter the workforce immediately or transfer to a four-year university. This dual focus ensures students acquire relevant skills for decent employment and entrepreneurship.
• Flexible Learning Modalities: To further promote inclusivity, Delgado offers courses in multiple formats, including in-person, online, and accelerated 8- and 12-week sessions, accommodating diverse student needs and promoting lifelong learning.

Promotion of Sustainable Development Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The college actively contributes to SDG 8 by preparing a skilled workforce, thereby fostering sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth and productive employment.

1. Workforce Development Programs: With over 100 certificate and degree programs, Delgado directly addresses local and national labor market needs, preparing students for immediate entry into various sectors.
2. General Studies as a Foundation for Employment: The rapidly growing general studies program, enrolling 41% of the student body, is explicitly framed as “workforce development.” Emily Cosper, Dean of the School of Liberal Arts, Social Sciences and Education, notes that this program cultivates critical thinking and analytical skills, which are essential for the modern economy.
3. Discipline-Specific Concentrations: The general studies program offers specialized concentrations in high-demand fields such as allied health, ensuring graduates are prepared for specific career pathways that contribute to economic productivity.

Commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities

By providing accessible and high-value educational pathways, Delgado Community College is instrumental in reducing inequalities within and among communities.

• Economic Accessibility: The college’s affordable tuition structure ensures that students from various socioeconomic backgrounds have the opportunity to pursue higher education, directly addressing Target 10.3 (Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome).
• Transferability and Upward Mobility: National transfer agreements with other institutions provide a clear and valuable pathway for students to continue their education at four-year universities. This seamless transferability ensures that a student’s starting point does not limit their ultimate academic and economic potential.
• Inclusive Student Engagement: The institution is increasing its focus on student engagement to support a growing demographic of younger students, ensuring an inclusive and encouraging environment that fosters success for all.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The article is centered on Delgado Community College, an educational institution. It discusses the provision of affordable, flexible, and high-quality tertiary education, which is the core mission of SDG 4. The text highlights the college’s role in offering various programs, certificates, and degrees that lead to further education or employment, directly aligning with the goal of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article connects education to employment outcomes. It explicitly states that Delgado’s programs are “designed to prepare graduates to immediately enter the workforce” and describes its general studies degree as “workforce development.” By equipping students with relevant skills for employment, the college contributes to promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all, which is the essence of SDG 8.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 4.3: Ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university.

  The article directly addresses this target by emphasizing that Delgado provides “affordable, flexible and transferable educational opportunities.” The statement, “Cost is always a key driving factor when students decide where to go to college. The fact that Delgado is absolutely affordable,” reinforces the focus on affordability. The mention of seamless transfers to four-year universities also aligns with this target’s goal of access to tertiary education.

• Target 4.4: Substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.

  This target is reflected in the article’s description of Delgado’s offerings. The college provides “more than 100 programs and certificates designed to prepare graduates to immediately enter the workforce.” Furthermore, the discussion of the general studies program highlights the development of “skills in critical thinking and analysis,” which are relevant for employment and career advancement.

• Target 8.6: Substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training (NEET).

  While the article does not use the term “NEET,” its content implies a direct contribution to this target. By providing accessible and affordable education, Delgado serves as a key pathway for young people to remain in education or training. The observation that “more younger students straight out of high school who are choosing Delgado first” indicates that the college is actively engaging youth and preventing them from becoming disengaged from employment or educational pathways.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicators for Target 4.3:

  The article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators. The total “enrollment now at approximately 12,600 students” serves as a direct measure of participation in tertiary education. The statement that “41 percent of Delgado students are pursuing a general studies degree” is a specific indicator of participation rates in particular programs. The repeated emphasis on affordability (“absolutely affordable”) is a qualitative indicator of access.

• Indicators for Target 4.4:

  The number of vocational and technical programs offered (“more than 100 programs and certificates”) is a clear indicator of the availability of skill-building opportunities. The description of the curriculum, which develops “skills in critical thinking and analysis,” points to the type and quality of skills being acquired by students.

• Indicators for Target 8.6:

  The enrollment figure of “approximately 12,600 students” can be used as an indicator of the number of individuals, including youth, engaged in education and training. The trend of “more younger students straight out of high school who are choosing Delgado first” implies a positive trend in the participation rate of youth in post-secondary education, which is a key measure for reducing the proportion of youth not in education, employment, or training.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary

Source: theadvocate.com