NSTogether

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FALL - Issue 38 | November 2024

Welcome to NSTogether, our quarterly newsletter to keep you informed about the K-16 Collaborative work happening all over the North State region.

It’s been a busy and productive fall for North State Together, filled with meaningful collaborations, in-person meetings, and impactful initiatives across our region. Read on to get updated on all the exciting work happening at North State Together as we continue supporting our North State region and driving collective impact forward.

UC Davis K-16 Advisory Team Strategic Planning Meeting: Collaborative Efforts to Advance Regional Goals and Support Student Pathways

On September 20, 2024, Onica Mello and Andrew Fitzhugh, Program Directors for North State Together, attended the UC Davis K16 Strategic Planning Meeting, along with UC Davis’s other regional partners from the Sacramento and Redwood Coast areas involved in the K16 grant. Prior to the meeting, they participated in a collaborative meet-and-greet over lunch with Roxanne Luppino, Program Director for the Los Rios K16 Grant in Sacramento. The discussion focused on the differences in grant processes across regions and the varying levels of progress toward meeting grant objectives. In the Los Rios region, for example, grant funds are only disbursed upon approval of project applications from schools, local industry partners, and universities.

The meeting at UC Davis began with an overview of grant goals by Ebony Lewis, Chief Strategy Officer for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, followed by a "Moments of Impact" icebreaker led by Laura Cerruti. This prompt asked participants to reflect on times when they made a meaningful difference in a student’s journey to college. Brendan Livingston then presented an overview of data and metrics, explaining the state-required reporting that focuses on student enrollment, persistence, and pathway completion.

Photo Above: North State Together Directors, Andrew Fitzhugh and Onica Mello, collaborate with the UC Davis K16 network, along with K16 recipients from the Sacramento and Redwood Coast regions.

Data is broken down by factors such as admit level (e.g., first-year students, transfers) and demographics, including ethnicity, income, rural backgrounds, and adult learners. Key initiatives were discussed, including the 1300 Campaign, which aims to enroll 1,300 additional men of color at Sacramento State University and UC Davis.

The evaluation session, led by Sherrie Reed and Alexandria Hurtt, provided an overview of the evaluation plan and logic models. The group walked through a draft logic model and discussed strategies for refining it. Key questions centered around what the grant has enabled so far, the available data, and what measurable outcomes can be expected in the next two years. The meeting also focused on actionable data sharing between community colleges and universities to better track and support students, especially those eligible for Transfer Admission Guarantees (TAG). Regional goals were refined, with an emphasis on narrowing the focus to identify measurable outcomes, aligned programming, and clear accountability among partners. A key takeaway was the importance of experiential learning opportunities for undergraduates at UC Davis, particularly through programs like Aggie To Be.

In follow-up, Onica Mello connected with UC Davis leaders, including Robert Penman and Laura Cerruti, to explore potential data sharing agreements with Healthy Rural California, aiming to identify middle and high school students in the North State interested in STEM programs, especially medicine.

Highlights from the StriveTogether Cradle to Career Convening in Salt Lake City, UT

The convening began with a dinner meeting with County Community School Leads (CCSL) JoNell Wallace from Tehama County Office of Education and Michelle Line from Siskiyou County Office of Education, where the group discussed collaborative efforts in improving community schools.

On Wednesday, attendees participated in a series of site visits organized by Rosemary Mitchell, Community Schools Program Director at the Shasta County Office of Education. These visits provided valuable insights into the wrap-around services offered at community schools. At Midvale Elementary School, for instance, attendees learned about the school's programs that assist families, including English as a Second Language (ESL) support, help navigating public services, and a vaccination site staffed by a certified nurse. Midvale Middle School focused on celebrating cultural diversity through student cohorts and cultural events, while Hillcrest High School offered critical support for Latinx students, including food and clothing assistance, and a person-first approach in student discipline, favoring counseling over suspensions. After these visits, Onica Mello had dinner with Maya Teso, MedEd Clubs Coordinator for Healthy Rural California, where they discussed potential collaborations related to STEM opportunities for rural students.

Group photo of participants at the StriveTogether 2024 Cradle to Career Network Convening in Salt Lake City, UT

The conference sessions provided deep dives into key topics such as economic mobility, data-driven approaches to scaling pilot programs, and building rural cradle-to-career partnerships. Notable plenary speakers included Jennifer Blatz, President of StriveTogether, and Dr. Manuel Pastor, who shared insights on advancing economic mobility. Sessions on implementing equitable governance structures and addressing K-12 challenges emphasized the importance of listening to marginalized communities and acting to ensure that all students have access to the tools they need to succeed. The final plenary, led by NBC News anchor Morgan Radford, underscored the importance of persistence in the face of uncertainty, encouraging attendees to continue striving for long-term impact despite the challenges.

As the convening wrapped up, Onica and Corinne returned to California with Mele Benz, County Community Schools Lead for Butte County Office of Education, inspired by the collective work being done nationwide to create better opportunities for students, families, and communities.

Oct 18 NST In-Person County Leads Meeting at the CLC

On October 18, 2024, North State Together hosted an In-Person County Network Leads Meeting at the Shasta College Community Leadership Center (CLC). Kevin O’Rorke shared insights from the California Economic Summit including the potential for another round of K-16 Funding. He stressed the importance of spending down the current funding for counties to make a strong case for the need for continued funding should this opportunity arise. County Leads were encouraged to partner with each other to address barriers and look at opportunities to share resources and think strategically about how their remaining funds can be used to build sustainable programs.

Photo Above: Corinne Ewing, North State Together's Director of Planning and Development, facilitated her first in-person meeting since joining the team earlier this year, marking the beginning of many more opportunities for collaboration.

The meeting welcomed new members to both the NST and County Network teams, offering a chance for all attendees to connect in person one last time before the year’s end. To start things off, participants joined in the energizing "Happy Salmon" activity, which brought plenty of laughter and set a positive, engaging tone for the day.

Rosemary Mitchell, Program Director of the Regional Technical Assistance Center (RTAC) for Community Schools, shared her perspective on what makes Community Schools effective. She explained, “There are a lot of things we know that make schools great places to learn. We know students do better when families are engaged and acting as partners with their teachers and schools. Their attendance will increase if we have that type of support, and if all their basic needs are met."

Rosemary emphasized that one of the key aspects of the Community Schools framework is the holistic approach it takes to education. She noted, “Schools cannot and should not do it alone. The whole child is an important thing to consider when we’re thinking about teaching and learning.” Community Schools, she explained, bring together many essential elements in a cohesive framework that moves beyond isolated programs. “Instead of having random programs here and there, it’s about thinking strategically. How do we respond to the needs of our community and make decisions that make sense for our students, using the assets we have in our places?”

Rosemary encouraged our County Network Leads to attend the upcoming site visits planned through the end of the year to see the Community Schools model in action. Additionally, in late January, she is hosting a retreat for all County Community School Leads and partners to foster collaboration and build shared understanding. Look out for more details to follow or contact Rosemary Mitchell for all your questions!

As part of the meeting, attendees participated in an activity focused on identifying assets and challenges unique to their counties. This exercise allowed counties to share insights about their strengths and obstacles, uncovering commonalities and differences across the region. The discussion sparked meaningful conversations about opportunities for collaboration and highlighted ways to leverage shared resources to address regional challenges collectively.

North State Together is excited to continue fostering cross-county collaboration and looks forward to hosting more in-person meetings in 2025.

North State Together’s Dean of Extended Education, Billy Miller, and Director of Planning and Development, Corinne Ewing, attended the North Star Regional Technical Assistance Center for Community Schools’ County Community School Lead Learning & Development Session in Mt. Shasta, October 28-30, 2024.

Photo Above: Joy Garcia leading a Learning & Development session.

On Tuesday, October 29th, the team visited Mt. Shasta’s Golden Eagle Charter School which serves approximately 500 students in Siskiyou County. The first stop was the high school, where the group toured the various classrooms and learned about the extensive supports provided to independent study students including a CTE pathway focused on helping students complete an associate’s degree through College of the Siskiyous while enrolled in high school.

The visit continued at the middle school which serves students from T-K through middle school. The tour included a look at the classrooms, library, and a stunning outdoor gathering space nestled in the forest. This unique area is designed for gratitude sharing and serves as an outdoor classroom for engaging learning experiences.

Spotlight on

Lassen County

Enrollment for Dental Assisting Program to Open in 2025

North State Together continues its commitment to fostering collaboration and innovation across the region, as demonstrated by a recent site visit to Lassen Community College (LCC) by Program Director Onica Mello. On October 14, 2024, Onica Mello met with Julie Johnston, Lassen Healthcare Collaborative Coordinator, Carie Camacho, LCC Interim Superintendent/President, Christi Myers, LCC Director of Nursing, and Michell Williams, LCC Dean of Instruction for Career and Technical Education, to discuss the transformative work of the Lassen Healthcare Education Collaborative (LHEC). LHEC, Lassen County’s K16 Educational Collaborative network, is making incredible strides in building healthcare pathways for the community.

One of LHEC’s key initiatives is the development of dental assisting and dental hygiene programs, aimed at addressing critical shortages in healthcare education and services. The team shared plans to remodel former art program spaces at LCC into classrooms and clinical labs tailored for the new dental programs. Program curriculum is already in development under the guidance of Christi Myers, aligning with state requirements to ensure a high-quality educational experience. The Dental Assisting program is projected to open for student enrollment in 2025, with the goal of subsequently launching a Dental Hygiene program.

The potential impact of these programs cannot be overstated. Northern California is often described as both a healthcare and education desert, making the creation of local dental assisting and hygiene pathways a game-changer for the region. By training skilled professionals within the community, this initiative will not only improve access to vital dental services but also create new opportunities for economic advancement for students and their families. Additionally, this work aligns seamlessly with broader workforce and economic development goals, contributing to a healthier, more prosperous future for all Northern California residents.

NST celebrates the dedication and vision of the LHEC team and looks forward to supporting their continued success. This initiative exemplifies the power of collaboration and underscores the importance of investing in rural communities to unlock their full potential. Stay tuned as we follow the progress of this impactful project!

A section for our county networks and partners to dive in and collect, analyze, and use data for their continuous improvement.

Are you on this mailing list?

Over the summer, North State Together began publishing a new monthly newsletter, Spotlight on Data, highlighting critical data for our region. Guided by our core values— community, data, equity, and relationship-driven—this newsletter is a vital resource for anyone invested in the educational and economic vitality of the North State.

In its latest issue #4, KRCR's news story, "Graduation Rates on the Rise in the North State" was highlighted. North State Together and the Shasta County Office of Education (SCOE) have partnered to share data between SCOE high schools and Shasta College, removing enrollment barriers for graduating seniors. This collaboration has led to a 48% increase in seniors attending Shasta College over the past five years! Read more by clicking the Nov issue below.

Number of high school graduates enrolled at Shasta College the fall following graduation

Click the buttons below to check out previous issues:

Good Reads

GRAD Partnership Schools have launched the school year with great enthusiasm, and there is much excitement to see what Year 3 will bring!

Distance Matters for Community College Transfers

Did you know geography plays a big role in student success? This thought-provoking article from EdSource highlights how the distance from a four-year university impacts transfer rates for community college students, with rural communities facing unique challenges.

For anyone passionate about equitable access to higher education, read more to explore the challenges of location and access that impact students' pathways to a bachelor's degree.

CCSPP Implementation Grant Cohort 4 is Released!

• This is the last round of CCSPP implementation grant funding
• Request for Applications (RFA) are DUE Friday, February 7, 2025

Need help? Take advantage of these learning and work sessions!

Session 3: Dec 3, 2024 | 9:00 AM

Session 4: Dec 10, 2024 | 9:00 AM

Session 5: Dec 17, 2024 | 9:00 AM

Session 6: Jan 7, 2025 | 9:00 AM

Session 7: Jan 21, 2025 | 9:00 AM

Session 8: Feb 4, 2025 | 9:00 AM

For more info, please contact Rosemary Mitchell

MAR 13, 2025

8th Annual North State Together Summit

Sheraton Redding Hotel at the Sundial Bridge

Get ready to connect, collaborate, and innovate as we continue to pave the path from cradle to career in our communities!

APR 27-30, 2025

2025 Rural Summit: From Cradle to Career

You won't want to miss Partners for Rural Impact's 2025 Rural Summit in Anchorage, Alaska.

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION ends January 31, 2025!

CONNECT ** COLLABORATE ** CONTRIBUTE

OUR VISION

North State Together is a regional network of cross-sector partners who have come together to strengthen educational outcomes from cradle to career for ALL in far Northern California. 

OUR MISSION

To increase community vitality by increasing educational access and success in the North State through local solutions within a regional support framework.

OUR VALUES

We are community, data, equity, and relationship driven.