The convergence of three trends makes service to minority students an imperative for continuing education: (1) increasing proportions of diverse groups in the U.S. population and work force; (2) continuing education and retraining as keys to survival in a workplace of change; and (3) declining college enrollments of diverse populations and increasing income disparities related to level of educational attainment. Issues involved in participation and retention of minorities begin with campus climate. Ways to improve campus climate include: genuine pluralism that recognizes diversity of perceptions and values; increasing numbers of minority faculty and adult students who can serve as mentors and role models; and strong, visible actions in hiring practices, reward systems, and policy implementation. Financial aid is another key concern. Low-income groups appear to have less access to financial aid, and little is available for part-time study, despite high numbers of minority part-time students. Finally, adult and continuing education's role as a force for social change requires a reconceptualizing of lifelong learning. Instead of the existing hierarchy, a more equitable system would be a continuous configuration of educational offerings in which success at one level would mean direct access to the next. (Annotations of 18 print resources are provided; 3 resource organizations are listed.) (YLB)