Southwest Launches Reform 3.0: A Bold Pathway to Prosperity

President Tracy D. Hall opened Southwest’s fall semester with a rallying call for “clarity, urgency, and resolve” as the institution launches its most ambitious initiative yet: Pathways to Prosperity, Reform 3.0.

Speaking at the 2025 Convocation on Aug. 19, Hall reflected on a decade of transformation that saw graduation rates nearly quadruple, equity gaps narrow, and national recognition earned. She credited faculty, staff, and community partners for advancing student success.

“The people I work with show relentless grit and unwavering commitment to our students. Every success we celebrate stands on everyone's individual shoulders,” Hall said.

Building on a decade of gains that saw graduation rates rise from 5% to 19%, equity gaps narrow, and the college earn national recognition, Reform 3.0 focuses on two priorities: strengthening workforce programs that lead to high demand careers and increasing transfer to bachelor’s degrees with long-term economic mobility. The plan, developed with input from the Aspen Institute, emphasizes employer and university partnerships, expanded dual enrollment, and data-driven strategies to close achievement gaps.

The Reform 3.0 team is headed by Terika M. Hughes, director of career training, whose team will work collegewide to identify and develop processes and procedures that will allow Southwest to achieve its goal.

“With the launch of Pathways to Prosperity: Reform 3.0, we’re committed to engaging both our internal stakeholders—faculty and staff—and our external partners in business and the community,” she said. “Together, we aim to expand educational access, enhance workforce readiness, and promote upward mobility in the communities we serve. I’m excited to be part of this next phase in the college’s development and look forward to hearing from our stakeholders as we work toward meaningful, lasting change.”

The Reform 3.0 team comprises the following committees and their co‑leads:

• Meta-Major Onboarding & Career Advising Committee – Jhona Gipson and William (Bill) Turner
• Embedded Certificates & Navigation into High-Value Career Pathways Committee – Alfreda Brooks‑Davis and Dr. Derrick Wheatley
• Dual Enrollment & CTE-Aligned Exposure Committee – Rosie Britton and Rachel (Shelley) Trigg
   Articulation Agreements & Reverse Transfer Committee – LaToya Chavers and Katrina Muldrow
• Data, Technology & Evaluation Committee – Erica Hughes and Katina Phillips

Hall underscored the college’s role as Memphis’ only community college and a key driver in economic development. “We cannot graduate students into poverty,” she said. “Every Southwest student must leave with a clear, supported path to prosperity.”

Hall’s vision is reinforced by Academic Affairs, which is aligning curricula to high-value careers, refining assessments to match university and employer expectations, and expanding faculty development. Dr. Carol Ash, vice president of Academic Affairs and Workforce Development, notes that 39% of the skills taught today could be obsolete in five years due to artificial intelligence (AI) and technology shifts — a statistic driving efforts to keep programs relevant through yearly reviews, stronger advisory committees, and dual‑credit pathways tied to career or transfer goals.

Enrollment momentum is also part of the strategy. Vice President of Enrollment Services Dr. Jose De Silva reported a 3% overall increase over last year, including a projected 7.5% rise in dual enrollment. Fall-to-Fall retention is up 11 points, aided by registering students during orientation, weekend enrollment events, and earlier spring registration.

“There’s something really energizing about the start of a new semester—like the whole campus is waking up with fresh purpose,” said Andrea Pickens, assistant director for recruitment/K-12 partnerships. “The turnout this year feels especially strong, and it’s clear that students are showing up ready to engage, connect, and really make the most of what’s ahead. It’s a promising start.”

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jeannie Smith detailed how the $66 million balanced budget supports Reform 3.0: a 2.6% salary increase, creation of an Office of Student Success, investment in instructional equipment, online course development, campus safety, and $180,000 in faculty professional development. With $69 million in reserves and a 4.83 Composite Financial Index score, Southwest is positioned to invest strategically in high-impact programs and wraparound services.

Hall underscored that the effort is “bigger than us,” aiming to connect every credential to a clear, supported path toward a living wage, whether through immediate employment or transfer. “Our city’s future,” she said, “is powered by a prepared, adaptable and educated workforce. We’ve done the work before — and together, we’ll do it again.”

With support from city and state leaders, including Memphis Mayor Paul Young and state Rep. Mark White, the college is aligning its programs with labor market demands and strengthening pathways that lead to long-term opportunity.a