Dr. Peter Felten – Assistant Provost for Teaching and Learning, Executive Director of the Center for Engaged Learning, and Professor of History at Elon University – has spent his career championing the power of human connection in higher education. This November, he will bring his decades of research and insight to San Diego, Calif. as a keynote speaker at the inaugural Caring Campus Conference 2025: Building a National Culture of Care, taking place Nov. 12–14. A nationally recognized scholar and author, Felten co-wrote “The Undergraduate Experience: Focusing Institutions on What Matters Most” in 2016. While the book explored numerous key drivers of student success, it was the chapter on relationships in particular that struck a lasting chord. The response led Felten and his colleagues to dig deeper, resulting in the acclaimed “Relationship-Rich Education: How Human Connections Drive Success in College” – a book grounded in interviews with 400 students, faculty, and staff across more than two dozen institutions.
As part of a growing movement to strengthen student connection and success, four additional Texas community colleges are adopting the Caring Campus framework – a student-centered approach designed to foster belonging and improve student outcomes. Hill College, Brazosport College, Clarendon College, and Texarkana College are joining Caring Campus thanks to a grant from the Trellis Foundation, marking a significant expansion across the state. Hill College President Dr. Thomas Mills said he was drawn to Caring Campus after first learning about it at a Talent Strong Texas Pathways meeting more than a year ago.
Five colleges and universities have become the first in the nation to earn Caring Campus Certification, a recognition that highlights their efforts to foster a campus culture centered on connection, compassion, and support for all students. Caring Campus Certification honors institutions that go beyond simple implementation, taking intentional steps to embed Caring Campus practices into the fabric of their campus operations and culture. Data shows that when students feel cared for and connected, they persevere and succeed at higher rates. Hartnell College in Salinas, Calif., Ranger College in Ranger, Texas, and Mission College in Santa Clara, Calif., each earned silver certification, while Texas A&M University - Kingsville in Kingsville, Texas, and Los Angeles Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., were awarded bronze certification.
In the aftermath of the Eaton Fire in January, Glendale Community College (GCC) responded swiftly and compassionately, providing critical relief funds and essential resources to students and employees in need – highlighting the college’s deep-rooted commitment to care, connection, and community. Among those affected was Shirley Chavez, a dedicated part-time student working toward an associate degree in science with aspirations of becoming a counselor at a rehabilitation facility. A mother of four, Chavez was forced to evacuate and ultimately lost her home in the fire.
For more than three decades, the Institute for Evidence-Based Change (IEBC) founder and CEO Dr. Brad Phillips has dedicated his career to advancing student success in higher education, developing various organizations, frameworks, and systems each designed to remove barriers and enhance the student experience. In recognition of his transformative work, Phillips has been awarded the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Research and Planning Group for California Community Colleges (RP Group). Each year, the RP Group honors a distinguished leader nearing the culmination of their career for outstanding contributions to institutional research, planning, and effectiveness within California’s community colleges. Phillips has long been a leader in these areas, championing data-driven approaches to improve student outcomes.
At the start of Caring Campus sessions with college and university faculty, Caring Campus coaches ask the participants to reflect on someone who inspired them to become educators. Time and again, faculty recall that it was a professor who impacted their lives. This spring, faculty members across Texas are taking part in Caring Campus, a framework designed to equip them with behavioral commitments that foster a strong sense of community and connection, both inside and outside the classroom. By creating an environment where students feel they belong, faculty can help inspire students to succeed and increase retention and persistence rates.
Texas A&M University – Central Texas (TAMUCT) and Temple College are forging a groundbreaking partnership that will allow students to earn an associate’s and bachelor’s degree from Temple College and TAMUCT while remaining on Temple College’s campus. This initiative strengthens the bond between the two institutions and supports Caring Campus Regions, a new effort designed to connect community colleges and universities in Texas to enhance student success. Funded by the Greater Texas Foundation (GTF), this regional approach aims to link and unify institutions across the state. Texas A&M universities and feeder community colleges in the three designated regions – Central, Kingsville, and San Antonio – will support the work, ensuring students experience a seamless transition between community colleges and universities.
Yuba College’s dedication to institutionalizing Caring Campus into its culture is evident in its decision to renew its Caring Campus Network (CCN) membership for the next five years – a long-term investment that ensures continued access to resources and tools that support a caring environment and enhance student success. The CCN is designed to increase connections between Caring Campus colleges and universities nationwide, promoting collaboration and shared commitment to student success. Members gain access to a range of benefits, including free webinars on key student success topics, Caring Campus certification eligibility, an extensive artifacts database for cross-institutional collaboration, exclusive discounts on Caring Campus events, and a network of dedicated professionals working to enhance student experiences.
Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, AL is deepening its commitment to student success by sending 10 employees to the Caring Campus Academy (CCA), ensuring they have the tools and strategies to create a supportive environment where students thrive. Designed by the Institute for Evidence-Based Change, the CCA bolsters Caring Campus through a series of sessions that guide faculty and staff in developing and institutionalizing behaviors that foster student connectedness and success. By participating in the next CCA cohort at the end of February, Wallace State ensures that all employees are aligned in their dedication to students, strengthening the college’s culture of care and support.
Salem Community College (SCC), a close-knit New Jersey institution with fewer than 2,000 students, has long been celebrated by staff and faculty for its caring, family-like atmosphere for both students and employees. Becoming a Caring Campus, however, has added a level of intentionality to the school’s mission, offering students a high-quality, empowering, and personalized experience. Caring Campus administered by the Institute for Evidence-Based Change, intentionally equips college and university staff and faculty with strategies to actively demonstrate care and guide students on their journey to success. Data shows that when students feel personally cared about, they persist and succeed in their studies at higher rates. The culture of compassion supported by Caring Campus resonates deeply with students at SCC, who can express their gratitude by nominating employees who have impacted their lives as “Champions of Caring.”
