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Previous research has documented students leaving college because they do not feel connected to the institution. Caring Campus recognizes and leverages the value of connectedness for increasing the likelihood that students will continue towards, and succeed in attaining, their educational goals.
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San Diego, Calif. -
The California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office (CCCCO) is expanding its partnership with the Institute for Evidence-Based Change (IEBC), implementing the 'Caring Campus' Initiative in California with an additional $500,000.
The new funding will support the addition of 18 new community colleges to the program, as well as providing ongoing support to the 18 original participating colleges, empowering one-third of all California community colleges to be 'Caring Campuses.'
The objective of IEBC's Caring Campus program is to increase student retention and success in community colleges by creating and cultivating Caring Campus environments through the intentional inclusion of all staff in student success efforts.
Under the CCCCO-IEBC partnership, each campus agrees to participate in the Caring Campus Initiative, a coaching-based approach ensuring all staff play a role in enabling students to achieve success. The first group of 18 colleges was selected and began work in 2018. The second group of 18 colleges will now join the initiative.
Caring Campus enhances existing student success efforts
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Caring Campus explores how outreach efforts on behalf of staff and faculty can make a significant positive impact on student success.
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"We're grateful to Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley and his office for their recognition of the results we've seen due to the Caring Campus approach," said IEBC President/CEO Brad Phillips. "This additional investment allowing IEBC to involve more community colleges will benefit students now and for many years to come."
"Staff love this work and have embraced the Caring Campus approach," said Phillips. "Staff are forever changed in the way they see their role as they are integrated into student success efforts. What happens: staff satisfaction goes up because they are making connections with students and their colleagues, connections that would have otherwise not been made. The students themselves are the beneficiaries."
The Caring Campus approach covers a semester of intensive work with IEBC coaches who meet with staff teams, returning every three weeks. "Caring Campus is designed to leverage and enhance a college's existing student success and Guided Pathways efforts, with little to no cost to the institution to implement these interventions," explained Dr. Phillips. "Smiles don't cost anything. Asking a student his or her name doesn't cost anything. You don't have to buy software, or build a building. But it is an intensive process, which takes commitment. IEBC supports this commitment through our coach/facilitators."
"Investing in support for our classified colleagues continues to be an important strategy for advancing Guided Pathways," said California Community Colleges
Executive Vice Chancellor of Educational Services and Support Marty Alvarado. "
We are pleased to continue our partnership with IEBC's Caring Campus program and look forward to learning more about how our colleges are shifting practices to create supportive environments for all students."
Staff interaction with students can set the stage for successful enrollment, persistence, and completion. It is particularly important for students from historically underserved populations, students less familiar with college, non-majority students, students from low-income households, and first-generation students to feel welcome and that they belong in college.
About the Institute for Evidence-Based Change (IEBC)
The Institute for Evidence-Based Change is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to helping education stakeholders - community colleges, universities, K-12 school systems, employers, and others - use evidence-based data, collaboration, and coaching to make informed decisions and craft solutions that improve practice and dramatically increase student success through our innovative approach. Learn more about IEBC at
www.iebcnow.org
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About the California Community Colleges
The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation, composed of 73 districts and 115 colleges serving 2.1 million students per year. California community colleges provide career education and workforce training; guaranteed transfer to four-year universities; degree and certificate pathways; and basic skills education in English and math. For more information, please visit the
California Community Colleges website at
www.cccco.edu
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