Asia Society – Southern California:

Of all the industries impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, higher education has experienced one of the most foundational disruptions to its traditional model, displacing in-person classes and a vibrant campus life for virtual coursework done at home. This challenge of translating the college experience to an online format has only been compounded by pre-existing social issues exacerbated by the pandemic. Facing financial hardship, many students, especially within communities of color, have deferred enrollment or been unable to utilize the tools that make at-home classes possible, like designated study spaces or adequate technology. These inequities that low-income students and students of color have encountered during the pandemic threaten to have long-term impacts on their education for years to come.