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NSTogether
Connect * Collaborate * Contribute
Issue 39 | March 2025
| | | Welcome to NSTogether, our quarterly newsletter to keep you informed about the K-16 Collaborative work happening all over the North State region. | | |
On March 13, 2025, the 8th Annual North State Together Summit brought together educators, workforce leaders, and community stakeholders to advance rural education and economic workforce development. The event, held at the Sheraton Redding Hotel at the Sundial Bridge, in Redding, CA, centered on "The Sustainability Blueprint: Tools for Long-Term Success," showcasing innovative solutions and collaborative educational efforts across Northern California.
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Dr. Kevin O'Rorke, CEO of North State Together, opened the day by welcoming attendees and providing an overview of NST’s mission, work, and partnerships. He reflected on NST’s growth from two counties and a few employees to a ten-county collaborative with over $32 million in awards. Dr. O'Rorke emphasized the power of regional collaboration in fostering educational success and economic vitality in the North State.
He also highlighted Governor Newsom's conceptualization of North State Together as a platform, likening it to an iPhone—having established a broad collaborative network, NST is now adding new programs, like apps, as opportunities arise. Dr. O’Rorke highlighted natural resources as a potential new 'app' for future expansion.
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Michael Wiafe, Assistant Deputy Cabinet Secretary at the Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom, provided a deep dive into the interworkings of state funding decisions that shape educational programs and opportunities throughout California. He also discussed Governor Newsom’s education plan, which prioritizes credit for prior learning, a key strategy for accelerating student progress and increasing workforce readiness.
| | Kate Gordon, CEO of CA FWD, delivered a thought-provoking address on the importance of a regions-up approach to enhancing education and economic vitality across California. She underscored the power of place-based strategies, where localized solutions serve as catalysts for statewide transformation, and highlighted key regional initiatives aimed at addressing economic disparities, infrastructure challenges, and workforce development gaps. | | Click the button below for CA FWD's upcoming events | | Gordon further emphasized the critical role of collaboration between communities and policymakers to ensure these regionally driven solutions are not only impactful but also scalable and sustainable in fostering long-term success. Learn more about CA FWD’s strategic priorities here.” | | |
Heather Hadwick, California Assemblywoman for District 1, delivered a powerful personal story about growing up in rural Northern California in poverty, holding a perfect ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) score. She shared how the support of librarians and teachers helped her overcome significant challenges and achieve success. Hadwick emphasized that education has the power to change the future for individuals with high ACEs scores, stating that students do not have to be a product of their environment if they have educators who drive them to set the bar higher and provide necessary supports. Now a state leader, she works to ensure those same supports are available to North State students today.
| | The panel focused on best practices in college completion, competency-based learning, and workforce alignment strategies, exploring how institutions can better serve students by implementing data-driven solutions and flexible learning models. Dr. Protas emphasized the importance of structured pathways to help students reach their degrees more efficiently, while Dr. Daugherty highlighted innovative learning models that align with the needs of today’s workforce. The discussion emphasized the vital role of partnerships between higher education, employers, and community organizations in strengthening student success and economic development in rural California. | | |
Midday, guests enjoyed a networking lunch followed by a special Turtle Bay Museum Animal Encounter in the courtyard, where they had the chance to meet Gucci, the opossum.
Attendees learned that opossums are highly unlikely to contract rabies, and they play an essential ecological role by eating ticks and other pests—making them a valuable marsupial to host in your yard!
| | If you missed this awesome opossum, you can get up close and personal with Gucci behind the scenes at Turtle Bay Museum. | | Also in attendance was Glenn 2 Greatness's non-voting executive committee member, Ferguson, The Goodest Boy. | | Afternoon Breakout Sessions | | Photo above: (L to R) Dr. Karen Schreder, Waylon Miller, Veronica Ulloa, Simran Wraich, Brynna Garcia, and Sophia Dutton | | They emphasized the power of youth engagement in policymaking, their work in creating a community for rural students at Chico State, and efforts to survey LGBTQ+ student needs across the region. | | |
Courtney Farrell from North State Planning and Development Collective shared the North State CA Jobs First Regional Vision, stating, “Our vision is for a thriving and resilient North State economy that produces climate-adaptive forests and watersheds, healthy and financially secure communities, and growing and innovative local businesses linked to regional markets.”
She discussed the State Economic Blueprint, the foundation for this initiative, and detailed the catalyst phase and project timeline. Additionally, she highlighted collaborative opportunities in the region, including both CA Jobs First funding and broader regional economic efforts.
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Katie McCullough-Stubbs, Director of Leadership, from Clinical Buddy, led an interactive workshop on successful team building, emphasizing how different leadership styles impact collaboration. She encouraged participants to understand their own leadership styles, to navigate interactions with others and overcome barriers to collaboration. She also discussed how vulnerability fosters trust, which is essential for effective teamwork, and emphasized that understanding organizational culture is foundational to developing strong systems of collaboration.
| | James Crandall, NST’s Regional Director of Data Strategies, presented on the National Student Clearinghouse Student Tracker, a powerful tool for tracking student progress beyond high school. His session highlighted how data-driven insights can help improve student outcomes and inform policy decisions, giving educators and workforce leaders a clearer picture of student enrollment, persistence, and degree completion rates. He also emphasized the importance of regional collaboration in data-sharing efforts, ensuring that schools, colleges, and workforce programs have access to accurate, actionable information to better support students on their educational and career journeys. | North State Together began publishing a new monthly newsletter, Spotlight on Data, highlighting critical data for our region. Guided by our core values— community, data, equity, and relationship-driven—this newsletter is a vital resource for anyone invested in the educational and economic vitality of the North State. Click the button to read the latest NST Spotlight on Data newsletter. | | Are you on the mailing list to receive the NST Spotlight on Data newsletter? |
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From the Shasta County Office of Education, Rosemary Mitchell, Program Director of the North Star Regional Technical Center, and Joy Garcia, Senior Director of Special Projects, (pictured on left) along with County Community School Leads (CCSLs) from across the region, discussed the Community Schools model as a holistic approach to student support. They provided an overview of the California Community School Framework, or “The 4x4”, which includes four pillars, four key conditions of learning, four cornerstone commitments, and four proven practices. They explained, “Our goal is to build on the existing assets and strengths within our communities to develop even better schools for our students.”
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Kimberly Johnson, CEO of ARCH Collaborative, led a discussion on supporting foster youth, emphasizing the significant barriers they face in education and workforce development, including frequent school transitions, lack of stable support systems, and limited access to higher education or career pathways. She highlighted the importance of wraparound services and multi-agency collaboration to create a safety net of support that fosters academic and personal success. Johnson also shared ARCH Collaborative initiatives aimed at expanding access to resources, mentorship, housing stability, and mental health support. By strengthening community partnerships and advocating for policy changes, she highlighted the need for systemic improvements to help foster youth thrive and achieve long-term success.
| A Celebration of Progress | | |
The day concluded with a "Celebration of Progress" led by Corinne Ewing, NST Director of Planning and Development and Onica Mello, NST Program Director, who highlighted notable achievements and ongoing initiatives across the ten K-16 counties. Their reflections showcased the collective impact of regional collaboration in advancing educational and workforce development goals. Here’s a recap highlighting just some of the outstanding work happening across our 10 county networks!
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Building Butte has been developing their healthcare sector career pathway, which links industry data and career opportunity information for Butte County residents to access online. Additionally, they have collaborated with multiple partners within Butte County to apply for an apprenticeship grant scheduled for April 2025.
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Glenn 2 Greatness has expanded their Med Ed Clubs reach to over 75 new students countywide with more expansion on the horizon! They have also fully developed their healthcare pathway, connecting Willows High School Medical Careers with Dual Enrollment to the Butte-Glenn Community College CNA & LVN Program to Chico State University’s RN to BSN program. They plan for future expansion to include UC Davis Medical School.
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The Lassen Healthcare Education Collaborative is in the process of applying to the dental board for final approval of their Dental Assisting program at Lassen Community College! LHEC also paid for nursing students to attend the UC Davis Pre-Health Conference where they were able to learn about transfer options within healthcare education.
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Advancing Modoc has been awarded the Jobs First Grant to expand a Modoc College Center Co-Op location into the Surprise Valley and Tulelake communities! By the end of the year, each K-12 school district will have a local College Center! Additionally, Advancing Modoc is working with pathway employers to kick off a Come Home Campaign to recruit Modocers to return home to enroll in high demand living wage pathway jobs!
| | Plumas Thrive is on track to implement the California College Guidance Initiative, better known as CCGI, throughout Plumas County by next fall. This data-tracking initiative helps students more seamlessly transition from K-12 to higher education programs. | | Sierra Strong has successfully implemented an EMT Basic Course for Dual Enrollment, and they are also working to advance a CTE Patient Care pathway in healthcare. | | |
Cradle 2 Careers 4 Siskiyou will be hosting Siskiyou County’s first CTE Day for all middle schools in the county on April 25. Additionally, they have been working hard with partner agencies to expand their GSK “Science in the Summer” programming for 2nd-6th graders, with curriculum and activities centered around the theme, “Be a Scientist.” Students will have the opportunity to explore careers in epidemiology, cardiology, nutrition, and more through hands-on labs.
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Reach Higher Shasta’s early literacy committee is piloting the “Reading Pals” program at two schools this spring. This program partners community volunteers to work one-on-one with students who are struggling with reading. Participating students in other communities have shown 2.4 months of literacy growth for every month of program participation. Reach Higher Shasta is also coordinating and facilitating for over 600 students from 10 different schools in Shasta County to take field trips to visit college campuses within the region, including: Chico State, CalPoly Humboldt, Southern Oregon University, and Sacramento State.
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Expect More Tehama has been successful in envisioning and writing grants with the Tehama County Department of Education to provide a countywide CTE and Career Exploration program for middle schools. Through various grants, Expect More Tehama is working on ways to educate their community on the critical pathways and the need for high quality Career Technical Education.
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And last, but definitely not least, Trinity Together has hosted a successful series of 13 workforce panels and presentations throughout Trinity County, which have engaged 27 industry professionals and higher education representatives with 253 youth participants. This effort connected youth from all Trinity County High Schools to work-based learning experiences in the forms of volunteering, job shadowing, and more within industry settings. Additionally, Trinity Together is coordinating the 5th annual College to Career Expo in collaboration with the Smart Center, Trinity County Health and Human Services, and Shasta College. On April 30th, an estimated 35 industry employers and higher education professionals will be available to Trinity County high school students to practice employment readiness skills and to explore available employment and educational opportunities.
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Billy Miller, Dean of North State Together and Extended Education, closed the summit with an inspiring message about the bright future ahead for the North State. He emphasized that partnership, collaboration, and perseverance are the foundation of transformative change, reminding attendees that their collective efforts are already making a lasting impact on education and workforce development in the region. Miller encouraged everyone to carry forward the momentum of the summit, leveraging new ideas, strengthened connections, and shared commitments to create even greater opportunities for students, workers, and communities. He reaffirmed that by continuing to work together, the North State will not only meet the challenges ahead but also thrive, innovate, and build a stronger, more resilient future for generations to come.
| | Got Pictures from the Summit? Please share with us! | | |
The 8th Annual North State Together Summit was a powerful demonstration of the collective effort to elevate rural education and economic development. With the connections and strategies gained, the North State community is poised to continue advancing progress and creating lasting opportunities across the region. Together, we are building a future where every community has the tools to succeed.
To help us improve future events, please take a moment to share your feedback:
| | Mark your calendars and join us next year for the 9th Annual NST Summit on March 12, 2026, as we continue this important work! | | Pictured above from left to right is the North State Together Backbone Team: Billy Miller, Chloe Lopez, Onica Mello, Corinne Ewing, Susan Schroth, Arlene Miranda, Kevin O'Rorke, Amy Speakman, Diane Taylor, Andrew Fitzhugh, Derrick Pringle, and James Crandall. |
| Celebrating Rural Strengths at Chico State’s Student-Led Conference | | |
On March 7, 2025, North State Together’s Susan Schroth, Program Director, and Corinne Ewing, Director of Planning and Development, attended the inaugural Rural Schools Conference hosted by the North State Student Ambassadors at Chico State University. The event brought together approximately 50 students from nine schools to explore the unique experiences of rural high school students and how their rural roots can serve as an asset for future opportunities.
Steve Perez, President of Chico State, opened the conference by highlighting the diverse opportunities available at the university. He also partnered with the student ambassadors to answer questions and address misconceptions about Chico State, fostering an open dialogue with the high school attendees.
The student ambassadors led a variety of interactive sessions that transitioned into smaller breakout groups. A central theme of the conference was reframing the narrative around rural communities. Students were encouraged to identify challenges often associated with their hometowns, rephrase them in a positive light, and celebrate the strengths of their communities. These reflections culminated in creative posters filled with uplifting messages and imagery about their hometowns and counties.
| Breakout sessions were facilitated by Susan Schroth, Program Director for North State Together; Courtney Farrell, Project Manager for the North State Planning & Development Collective; Henry Whitehead, Program Manager of the Rural Schools Collaborative; Dave Tanner, Senior Program Officer of The McConnell Foundation; and Dr. Ann Schulte, retired faculty member of CSU Chico and founder of North State Roots. | Photo Above: Dave Tanner, Senior Program Officer of The McConnell Foundation, hosted a breakout session. | | |
During her session, Susan Schroth guided students in crafting personal statements with the help of AI tools. This exercise encouraged students to think critically about their unique backgrounds and skills, leveraging AI to develop polished and impactful summaries for personal introductions.
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Courtney Farrell’s session focused on conducting a SWOT analysis, where students examined the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in their communities. Through guided questions, Courtney inspired students to raise their voices and share their perspectives on local challenges and opportunities.
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A notable insight from the session was that students often feel excluded from conversations about their communities. Courtney shared that both the North State Planning & Development Collective and North State Together are committed to amplifying student voices and creating more opportunities for education and workforce development in rural areas.
| | The Rural Schools Conference marked an important step in empowering rural youth to embrace their roots and advocate for positive change in their communities. | | Supporting North State Students’ Higher Education Journeys | | |
On February 26, 2025, North State Together’s Director of Planning and Development, Corinne Ewing, visited UC Davis to explore collaborative opportunities and strengthen connections to K-16 initiatives in the North State region. This meeting brought together key leaders from UC Davis, including Laura Cerruti, Chief Impact Officer, DEI and North State Lead K-16 Collaborative; Dr. Ebony Lewis, Chief Strategy Officer, DEI and Sacramento Regional Lead K-16 Collaborative; Pamela Blanco, Associate Director, Transfer Opportunity Program, Undergraduate Admissions; and Yesenia Cervantes-Tucker, Director of Undergraduate Retention Programs, College of Engineering.
Dr. Ebony Lewis provided insights into the structure of the Sacramento Region’s K-16 Collaborative and its alignment with North State Together’s initiatives. Yesenia Cervantes-Tucker shared details about Avenue E, an engineering program in the Sacramento region, and expressed interest in expanding the program to serve students further north. While Avenue M leaders were unable to attend, Yesenia offered a comparative overview of its structure in relation to Avenue E.
Pamela Blanco highlighted the impact of key transfer initiatives, including the Transfer Opportunity Program (TOP), Transfer Admission Planner (TAP), and Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG), with a focus on their relevance to Avenue M and Shasta College students. She underscored the benefits these programs offer to prospective students navigating the path to UC Davis.
A follow-up meeting with Jacquelyn Ross, Admissions Advisor for Undergraduate Admissions, and Pamela Blanco delved deeper into outreach efforts for Northern California. Jacquelyn, who leads high school outreach in the region, shared plans for upcoming visits to Butte College on April 28th and Shasta College on April 29th. Both Jacquelyn and Pamela emphasized their roles in transcript evaluations and their commitment to supporting North State students’ transitions to UC Davis.
The discussions also examined the unique experiences of rural students in Northern California, particularly the barriers they face when considering attendance at UCs. Challenges such as limited access to outreach and the local emphasis on Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, which often lead directly to the workforce, were highlighted. These trends are reflected in the Governor’s master plan for career technical education and suggest a shifting educational landscape.
As this shift continues, North State Together and UC Davis remain dedicated to surveying student experiences, addressing barriers, and sharing success stories to better serve rural students. Collaborative efforts like these play a vital role in ensuring that North State students have access to a wide range of opportunities and pathways to success.
| | Navigating University Events | | This section is your guide to exciting events and opportunities at UC Davis and CSU Chico! Whether it's workshops, conferences, networking events, or student engagement activities, this section keeps you informed about ways to connect, learn, and grow. Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to engage with these universities and make the most of their resources! | | |
Share this great opportunity for students, families, and educators! UC Davis Undergraduate Admissions is hosting a series of free virtual events to help prospective students explore academic programs, student life, and the transfer process.
Whether you're interested in a specific college, hearing from current students, or learning about campus resources, there's a session for you!
Upcoming Virtual Events:
🔹 April 1–29: Student Voices Series – Hear from Native, Latinx, A&PI, Black, and Transfer students
🔹 May 6–20: Finding Your Community, Research & Resources, Student Life, and more!
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North State Together is excited to share a free virtual event for students, educators, and anyone supporting future UC transfers!
UC Davis’ Transfer Opportunity Program (TOP) invites you to TAP in a SNAP, a webinar on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 6:30 PM (PDT) to learn about the UC Transfer Admission Planner (UC TAP).
UC TAP is a valuable tool that helps students track coursework, calculate UC GPAs, and explore transfer opportunities to any University of California campus. Whether you're a student planning for the future, a teacher, counselor, or family member supporting a transfer-bound student, this session will provide essential insights on how to navigate the UC transfer process successfully.
Date: Thursday, April 17, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM (PDT)
Location: Virtual – Open to all!
Help us spread the word so students across our region can take advantage of this opportunity to plan their path to a UC!
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Join UC Davis for the annual César Chávez Youth Leadership Conference on Saturday, May 10, 2025!
This free event is open to junior high, high school, and community college students, as well as parents and educators. Attendees will enjoy inspiring speakers, over 30 workshops, cultural entertainment, exhibitors, and a free lunch—all aimed at empowering students to pursue higher education and leadership opportunities.
Date: May 10, 2025
Location: UC Davis – University Credit Union Center
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North State Together is excited to share a unique opportunity for high school students interested in healthcare and research! Fostering the Future, hosted by RESURG (Research Experience in Surgery) at the UC Davis Medical Center, is a free summer educational event taking place June 28–29, 2025, in Sacramento.
This annual two-day program provides students with hands-on experiences, including career panels, suturing and dissection labs, and tours of the UC Davis Medical Center and Vascular Clinic. Participants will gain valuable professional skills and explore potential career paths in the medical field.
Fostering the Future is free to attend, but students must apply and be accepted into the program.
Applications are open now and will close on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
Spread the word! Please share this opportunity with fellow educators and students.
A flyer is attached for easy distribution, and you can direct students to the links below for more information and to apply:
🔗 UC Davis Health Website: RESURG Program (Click the yellow ‘Philanthropy’ tab at the top of the page)
🔗 Fostering the Future 2025 Application: Apply Here
For questions, please contact fosteringthefuture.davis@gmail.com. Let’s work together to connect students with this incredible opportunity!
| | Rural Schools Collaborative Celebrates 10 years! | | |
Congratulations to Rural Schools Collaborative’s 10-year anniversary!
From its grassroots beginnings to a national movement advocating for rural schools and communities, RSC has been a driving force in strengthening partnerships, fostering collaboration, and uplifting educators and students.
We’re especially excited to share that Susan Schroth, North State Together’s Program Director of GRAD Partnership, is featured in this video as one of RSC’s board members!
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North State Together is proud to be part of this incredible journey, working alongside RSC to support rural education and collective impact.
Here’s to 10 years of impact—and many more to come! Watch the video above.
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APR 27-30, 2025
2025 Rural Summit: From Cradle to Career
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The Partners for Rural Impact (PRI) Rural Summit is just around the corner, and the official agenda is now live! If you’re attending next month, take a moment to explore the schedule and decide which sessions best align with your interests and goals.
This is a great opportunity to dive into key topics, connect with fellow rural education and community development leaders, and bring valuable insights back to your work.
Click the button to check out their agenda and start planning your sessions now!
We can’t wait to see you there!
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North State Together
Downtown Redding
Community Leadership Center
1401 California Street, 4th floor
Redding, CA 96001
| | CONNECT ** COLLABORATE ** CONTRIBUTE | | |
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OUR VISION
North State Together is a regional network of cross-sector partners who have come together to strengthen educational outcomes from cradle to career for ALL in far Northern California.
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OUR MISSION
To increase community vitality by increasing educational access and success in the North State through local solutions within a regional support framework.
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OUR VALUES
We are community, data, equity, and relationship driven.
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