LONG BEACH, CA – Bossier Parish Community College in Louisiana has made caring an institutional priority – embedding the word directly into its mission statement to reflect a commitment that runs through every corner of campus. That focus is felt daily by students, employees, and the community, who all experience Bossier Parish’s dedication to creating a welcoming, connected environment.

This fall, the college is taking that commitment to the next level. More than 70 faculty, staff, and administrators will participate in the Caring Campus Academy (CCA) – enough to bring a Caring Campus coach directly to their campus. The CCA will unite every participant around a shared set of behavioral commitments designed to foster belonging and student success, and institutions nationwide can sign up for the fall cohort, launching at the end of September, to bring these commitments to their own campuses. Data shows that when students feel cared about, they persist and succeed at higher rates.

“There has always been such a strong sense of care at Bossier Parish, and Caring Campus has really helped us organize our efforts more and double down on that commitment,” Bossier Parish Chancellor Dr. Rick Bateman said. “I may have been the one to send the CCA sign-up sheet around, but our employees jumped on it immediately. They wanted the opportunity to spend a day fully immersed in the Caring Campus commitments.”

That caring culture is visible across campus, perhaps most notably at the Cavalier Care Center, where students can access a wide range of support services, from a food pantry and Dress for Success closet to housing assistance and emergency resources. Over the last four years, Bossier Parish has found a 10% higher retention rate among students who have used the Care Center compared to those who have not.

In a video testimonial highlighting the impact of the Cavalier Care Center, Bossier Parish alumna Vanessa Nganga shared how the center’s support made a difference in her journey. She recalled a time when she could not afford the scrubs required for her phlebotomy program.

“Ms. Sandra at the Cavalier Care Center went far beyond the call of duty, securing funding for my scrubs and taking care of everything so I didn’t have to worry,” Nganga said. “She treated me with love, care, and understanding. Because she could relate to me and my situation, I was able to succeed.”

While Caring Campus traditionally focuses on creating behavioral commitments for staff and faculty, Bossier Parish recently expanded the concept to include leadership. During its 2025 summer retreat, the college’s leadership team finalized Standards of Leadership Excellence – a set of commitments that guide how administrators lead and model the caring culture they expect across the institution.

“Caring Campus is absolutely integral to supporting students and preparing them to transfer, enter the workforce, or simply succeed in life,” Bateman said. “It also connects us to a national network of colleges united by a shared mission of caring for their students.”

Bateman will share Bossier Parish’s approach during his presentation, “Operationalizing a Culture of Caring,” at the inaugural Caring Campus Conference: Building a National Culture of Care, happening Nov. 12-14 in San Diego. The conference will also feature renowned keynote speakers Dr. Vince Tinto and Dr. Peter Felten, as well as create an environment for like-minded professionals to grow and connect over a shared commitment to student success.

“Bossier Parish is a shining example of a college that goes above and beyond in its commitment to caring for students,” Caring Campus CEO and founder Dr. Brad Phillips said. “I encourage all institutions to sign up for the CCA and experience firsthand how these commitments can transform campus culture and student success. We look forward to visiting Bossier Parish for the next round of the CCA and continuing to support their mission to help students thrive.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

IEBC_BOSSIER1: Bossier Parish Community College in Louisiana has made caring an institutional priority – embedding the word directly into its mission statement to reflect a commitment that runs through every corner of campus.

IEBC_BOSSIER2: This fall, more than 70 Bossier Parish Community College faculty, staff, and administrators will participate in the Caring Campus Academy – enough to bring a Caring Campus coach directly to their campus.