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.”
Trinity Valley Community College (TVCC) President Dr. Jason Morrison often refers to the college as “a home of champions,” highlighting its achievements in academics, athletics, and student life. Now, TVCC is taking this championship spirit to the next level by introducing Caring Campus, a nationally recognized framework focused on fostering connection, belonging, and student success. Morrison first brought Caring Campus to Southern Arkansas University Tech, where he served as chancellor for six years. After moving on to TVCC, he immediately reached out to the Institute for Evidenced-Based Chance (IEBC) to see if Caring Campus could be implemented at his new institution. Through an ECMC Foundation grant designed to support implementation at rural institutions, TVCC was able to begin their Caring Campus journey.
Lawson State Community College in Birmingham, AL, a Historically Black Community College (HBCC) with a legacy of academic excellence and community impact, has embraced Caring Campus to empower its faculty and staff with actionable strategies and behavioral practices designed to foster stronger connections with both students and one another. Through this commitment, Lawson State has reaffirmed its dedication to providing quality and accessible educational services to students, ensuring students feel valued, supported, and welcomed at every step of their academic journey, and elevating the effectiveness of other student success initiatives across campus.
San Juan College faculty and staff in Farmington, N.M., are inspiring students like Esmeralda Garcia to celebrate their unique identities and heritage, fostering success through the transformative principles of Caring Campus. Caring Campus is a framework that coaches staff and faculty in commitments and strategies that boost student success across all demographics. Garcia, a criminal justice major, said the culture of care brought about by Caring Campus is evident across San Juan College, from staff and faculty to fellow students.
Amid the turmoil of recent hurricanes, students at Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) in Florida discovered that their college was more than just a campus – it was a lifeline. For students like Dara Gibbs, Epifanio Colon, and Rachelle Wills, the college’s unwavering commitment to care and connection as a Caring Campus transformed a time of crisis into a moment of hope, providing not only emergency relief but the stability and support needed to move forward. When Hurricane Helene struck, Gibbs faced severe flooding that damaged her home’s floors, walls, and furniture. Through PHSC’s relief efforts, she received financial assistance, food, and cleaning supplies.
Dr. Vincent Tinto and Dr. Peter Felten, two of the nation’s foremost experts on student success, will be featured keynote speakers at the inaugural Caring Campus Conference 2025: Building a National Culture of Care, which will take place from Nov. 12-14, 2025, at the DoubleTree Hotel in San Diego. Dr. Tinto, a professor emeritus at Syracuse University and a leading authority on student retention, and Dr. Felten, executive director of the Center for Engaged Learning and assistant provost at Elon University, and co-author of “Relationship Rich Education,” will share decades of research and insights on how connection, belonging, and a culture of care can drive student persistence, retention, and success.
Hinds Community College, the largest community college in Mississippi, has embraced Caring Campus as part of its commitment to fostering meaningful relationships between students, faculty, and staff, promoting personal connections, and reinforcing its core values. Caring Campus helps students get the support they need to overcome challenges by engaging staff and faculty with the tools and commitments needed to establish a culture of care, ensuring all students feel valued, seen, and supported from the moment they step on campus. Hinds College President Dr. Stephen Vacik introduced Caring Campus to the college after witnessing its success at his previous institution, Maysville Community and Technical College.
At Texas A&M University – Kingsville (TAMUK), establishing a caring and welcoming culture is a cornerstone of the student experience. As a Caring Campus, TAMUK continues to foster an environment where students feel valued, supported, and empowered to achieve their educational goals. One such student is Amberly Zaragoza, a graduate student in plant and soil science, whose journey at TAMUK exemplifies the impact of this caring culture. Zaragoza transferred to TAMUK as an undergraduate student, where she began pursuing a degree in animal science, after attending a community college for two years. A class on soils for her major first ignited her passion for plant and soil sciences, and she decided to pursue a master’s degree with the encouragement of her dean.
Patrick & Henry Community College in Martinsville, Va. is enhancing its campus culture and promoting student success through the adoption of Caring Campus, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students. Patrick & Henry Community College first heard about Caring Campus during a kickoff event for the Rural Pathways Initiative with the National Center for Inquiry and Improvement (NCII) in 2022.
Three Caring Campus community colleges have been named 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence finalists by the Aspen Institute, shining a light on their exceptional commitment to fostering a culture of care that drives student success. Northwest Vista College in Texas, Wallace State Community College in Alabama, and Moorpark College in California are three out of the 10 institutions chosen as finalists from more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide. Awarded every two years, the Aspen Prize recognizes colleges with high and improving levels of student success, as well as equitable outcomes for students of color and those from lower-income backgrounds.
