The Institute for Evidence-Based Change (IEBC) is bringing Caring Campus to rural colleges and universities nationwide with support from an ECMC Foundation grant, helping students to successfully navigate the transition to college life by establishing a sense of belonging and connection on campus. Rural colleges often face unique challenges with student persistence and success. Students from rural, tight-knit communities can experience culture shock and feel disconnected when transitioning to a new campus environment, according to ECMC Foundation Program Officer Stephanie Sowl. Caring Campus provides staff and faculty with the tools, resources, and support needed to create an inclusive and welcoming on-campus environment for students of all demographics. Data shows that retention, persistence, and success rates increase when students feel connected to their campus.
Victor Valley College (VVC) has experienced a transformation by weaving Caring Campus principles and strategies across its campus, impacting the college’s culture, enrollment, and community engagement, and making VVC a model for other institutions of higher education. The results of VVC’s cultural shift are especially evident in the college’s enrollment growth. Despite a 20% drop in enrollment during the COVID-19 pandemic, VVC has rebounded with a 50% increase over the past two years. VVC President Dr. Dan Walden cites Caring Campus as a contributing factor to this increase.
Imperial Valley College, located in Imperial, CA, is reinforcing its commitment to improving student retention, persistence, and success by participating in a Caring Campus Refresh, re-engaging its staff in the principles necessary to create a supportive and caring educational environment. Across the nation, numerous institutions have undertaken a Caring Campus Refresh to reinforce their commitment to student success. The Refresh sessions offer a more condensed and targeted approach compared to the traditional curriculum, while still following a similar format.
The Institute for Evidence-Based Change’s (IEBC) Caring Campus and its role in boosting student retention and success were highlighted during the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) conference. Held May 28, the conference gathered higher education staff, faculty, and administrators from across the country to examine data showing that many college students fail to reach their educational goals, and learn how IEBC and Caring Campus helps to keep college students engaged and enrolled until they successfully complete their studies.
The Alamo Colleges District is pioneering the implementation of Caring Campus at the district office level, extending the program to a new group of educators, and embedding Caring Campus principles across the Alamo Colleges to foster a more cohesive and supportive environment, ensuring students have the support they need to succeed. The Institute for Evidence-Based Change (IEBC) developed Caring Campus to provide staff and faculty with a set of behavioral commitments designed to establish a culture of care on campus, thereby increasing retention, persistence, and success for all students.
Porterville College President Dr. Claudia Lourido-Habib, inspired by her own pivotal experience with a compassionate staff member during college, brought Caring Campus to her school to foster a community where students feel recognized and valued, leading to increased success for all students. The Institute for Evidence-Based Change created Caring Campus to provide college and university staff and faculty with the tools and resources needed to create a welcoming environment for students. By establishing a culture of care on campus, students are empowered to persist and succeed in their educational goals.
Orange Coast College is enhancing its commitment to student well-being and success by embracing the principles of Caring Campus, empowering staff to foster a student-centric environment grounded in intentionality and care. The Institute for Evidence-Based Change created Caring Campus as a way to increase college students’ sense of belonging and connectedness with their institution, resulting in greater retention, persistence, and success rates for students of all demographics.
Temple College has seen a dramatic increase in student engagement in part by integrating tools and strategies that staff and faculty learned through Caring Campus, which helps educational institutions create welcoming and supportive campuses to promote success of all students. The Institute for Evidence-Based Change created Caring Campus to provide higher education institutions with the knowledge and tactics to increase students’ feelings of connectedness on campus, thereby improving overall persistence, retention, and graduation rates. Texas-based Temple College credits Caring Campus as a contributing force in their student population reaching a full-time majority, with 52% of students enrolled full-time in 2022, compared to 46% in 2020
IEBC Partnership Seeks to Sustain and Institutionalize Caring Campus
The Institute for Evidence-Based Change’s (IEBC) longtime partner, California Community College Classified Senate, is producing a guide outlining strategies for community colleges to sustain and institutionalize Caring Campus beyond its initial implementation, integrating the program's principles and strategies into the college's culture for long-term effectiveness. IEBC created Caring Campus to provide staff and faculty with tools and resources to help students feel more connected to their college, thereby improving student retention, persistence, and success.
L.A. Pierce College Strengthens Campus Culture Through Caring Campus
Los Angeles Pierce College is strengthening its culture of belonging for both students and staff by successfully implementing Caring Campus, a program that teaches principles, tactics, and habits to create a more welcoming, connected environment, thereby improving student retention and success. Data from the Institute for Evidence-Based Change shows that students who feel more connected to their college are more likely to be retained, persist from semester to semester, and complete their academic goals. Caring Campus’ work to increase connectedness aims to help ensure students achieve all that they can from their college experience.
