Education First supports the Student Success Centers for the community colleges in Oregon, Washington & Arizona in their efforts to support faculty and staff in creating student-ready colleges. As part of this support, we are hosting a webinar series focused on learning and applying new content and practices, elevating “bright spots” and demonstrating impact of student success efforts.
This four-part series features guest speakers from each state where the overall topic is explored from various perspectives. Each webinar is 60 minutes at noon Pacific Time.
Click below to find details and registration links. Once you register, please click “Add to Calendar” in the confirmation. You will not be sent separate meeting invitations.
We welcome your recommendations for guest speakers and topics to make this series most beneficial to you, the participants. Please send us your recommendations through this form.
Click to access the 2022-23 Lunch & Learn series details and resources.
| Date | Description (topics and descriptions are subject to change) | Registration & Resources |
| September 28, 2023 | Success Coaches
Come learn more about how Clark College Success Coaches support their students in staying on the path. Housed within the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Student Success Coaches at Clark College meet students where they are to provide holistic support and help students succeed both academically and personally. Success Coaches guide students to leverage all the available tools on campus by helping students develop a plan and connecting them to the relevant resources. Guest speakers: Jill Forgash & Mike Law, Clark College |
Recording |
| October 12 | Co-requisites
Co-requisites allow students to enroll in a college level course and a concurrent remedial course to help stay on the path. Taking co-requisites encourages students to identify their learning needs and allows them to receive additional support while they develop the skills needed to complete their college level course and, ultimately, their program of study. Guest speaker: Christopher Mehl, Walla Walla Community College |
Recording & Slides |
| October 26 | Non-academic Supports
Students often face challenges beyond their academic studies. By providing non-academic supports to students, community colleges can help students overcome these non-academic challenges. Non-academic supports may include: tutoring, financial aid, counseling, career services, food pantry, childcare, transportation assistance, housing assistance, mental health services, disability services and more. Guest speaker: Katherine Bode, Clatsop Community College |
Recording & Slides |
Additional resources:
Success Coaches:
Co-requisites:
Non-academic Supports:
| Date | Description (topics and descriptions are subject to change) | Registration & Resources |
| November 9 | Unlocking Potential: Innovations in Adult Education that expand access and increase learner success
As community colleges adapt to evolving learner needs, adult basic education plays a vital role in ensuring equitable access and success. Adult education offers a pathway for students to improve their reading, writing and math skills, earn a High School Equivalency diploma, improve their English language skills, connect to employment opportunities and more. Presenters will share innovations in adult education including student support systems that drive retention and success as well as Integrated Education and Training (IET) programs that pair basic skills with essential skills for today’s job market. Explore how adult education programming can help community colleges expand access, bridge educational gaps, and increase retention and credential attainment. Guest speakers: Laurie Kierstead-Joseph, Stephanie Dennison & Wendy Scheder Black, Pima Community College |
Recording & Slides |
| January 25 | Re-engaging Adult Learners
Community colleges play an important role in expanding college access as they serve more than half of all college students with low incomes and more than 1.7 million adult learners. However, community college enrollment declines since the spring of 2020 threaten to worsen educational inequity and diminish college access. To offset this trend, New America partnered with six community colleges in three different states to re-enroll adult learners and uncover important insights for the field on how to enroll, and better serve, adult students at community colleges. One participating institution, Mt. Hood Community College in Oregon, adjusted policies and practices already yielding outsized positive results for adult enrollment and success. Speakers from Mt. Hood and New America will share their findings and experiences during this virtual session. Guest speakers: Ivy Love & Tiffany Thai, New America; John Hamblin, Mt. Hood Community College |
Recording & Slides |
Additional Resources:
| Date | Description (topics and descriptions are subject to change) | Registration & Resources |
| February 29 | Amplifying Student Voices
Come hear from our students! Moderated by Elizabeth Cox Brand—Executive Director of Oregon Student Success Center, this panel will focus on the student experience at their respective community colleges. Hear directly from students on how their campus support services have helped them not only clarify the path in college but also helped set them up for success beyond community college. Panelists: Elizabeth Cox Brand (Moderator), Students from WA (Mollie Kuwahara and Josie Saccio-Devine), Student from OR (Arabella Nicdao), Student from AZ (Arleen Magallanes). See student bios here. |
Recording |
| March 21 | Models that can Change the Workforce Pipeline
Come learn about Maricopa Community Colleges’ groundbreaking Fast Track Pathways and how they support their students in increasing job prospects through their microcredential pathways. As the costs of traditional credentialing continue to rise, microcredentials have emerged as a viable and attractive option for America’s workforce. Students can enroll in short courses aligned with their jobs to demonstrate skills, knowledge or experience in a specific subject area. Touted as an alternative to traditional credentialing, microcredentials offer its students the opportunity to meet the requirements to meet specific job responsibilities and develop discrete skills. Guest speakers: Diane Meza & Leah Palmer, Maricopa County Community College District |
Recording & Slides |
Additional Resources:
| Date | Description (topics and descriptions are subject to change) | Registration & Resources |
| April 11 | Supporting Black Male Community College Students and Fostering Equitable Outcomes
Despite strides made in higher education, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) male representation remains disproportionately low. This webinar will explore innovative strategies, actionable insights, and successful initiatives geared toward bridging this enrollment gap. From systemic barriers to socio-economic hurdles and cultural perceptions, we will examine the complex factors contributing to the underrepresentation and discuss effective ways to overcome them. Guest speaker: Dr. Alvina Thomas, Louisiana Delta CC |
Register here |
Additional Resources:
| Date | Description (topics and descriptions are subject to change) | Registration & Resources |
| April 25 | Statewide Strategy for Engaging Business Leaders
Come learn more about engaging business leaders across the state for consistent interaction with community colleges in building career pathways and student awareness, expanding short term credential of value, strengthening business and education partnerships, and improving college access, credential completion and post completion student outcomes. Guest speakers: Cynthia Ferrell & Martha Ellis, Texas Association of Community Colleges |
Recording & Slides |
| May 9 | Optimizing Intake and Onboarding Strategies
Community college staff and faculty play a pivotal role in assisting students as they navigate the crucial phase of choosing their academic paths. From intake through onboarding, students crave support in exploring and designing their college journey. We’ll explore how one college has streamlined intake processes, including admissions advising methods and tools that meet highly diverse students “where they are,” and we’ll explore how to support staff in guiding students through their academic choices and onboarding processes. Guest speakers: Chris Maund & Dr. Bucky McKenzie, Seattle Central College |
Register here
Recording & Slides |
Additional Resources:
