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New Report Identifies How Staff
Support Postsecondary Student Success
New research findings from the Community College Research Center (CCRC) at Teachers College, Columbia University demonstrate the potential of the Institute for Evidence-Based Change's (IEBC) Caring Campus initiative to positively affect college culture and ground further efforts to improve student success.

The report, titled Caring Campus: An Initiative to Involve Community College Staff in Increasing Student Success, discusses the importance of nonacademic staff to the postsecondary experience.

Drawing on observations and interviews at Caring Campus colleges and interviews conducted with IEBC coaches, the researchers report Caring Campus:

  • successfully positions staff as respected change makers;
  • cultivates a sense of unity;
  • enhances staff knowledge; and
  • has the potential to improve equity.

Also, professional staff are able to build their leadership skills and strengthen interpersonal relationships in a way that can lay the groundwork for future innovation and student centered practices.
"By intentionally giving staff a role in increasing students’ sense of belonging on campus, Caring Campus taps into an underutilized resource with the potential to improve student success. The COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the critical need to ensure every staff member is looking out for students," said Thomas Brock, Director of the Community College Research Center, Teachers College, Columbia University.

"We're very pleased CCRC's research confirms the importance of professional staff and the significant role they play in supporting and retaining students and of their crucial role in the student success agenda," said Brad Phillips, President and CEO of IEBC.
For more information, contact IEBC or see our website

IEBC President Brad C. Phillips:
bphillips@iebcnow.org or 619-252-8503

IEBC COO Jordan E. Horowitz: 
jhorowitz@iebcnow.org or 562-743-7920