SPRING 2026 NEWSLETTER
TOGETHER WE ACHIEVE THE EXTRAORDINARY
McLennan Community College’s strong commitment to student success led the college to dedicate institutional funds for the implementation of Caring Campus.
A Message from the CEO
Dear Caring Campus Community,
The spring semester has been filled with transformation, as colleges and universities across the country are going all-in to create cultures of care that strengthen student outcomes. Thank you to each of our Caring Campuses for your dedication to students and ensuring they have the care they need to succeed. This vital work could not be possible without the daily commitment of staff and faculty who interact with students and make a meaningful difference in their lives.
Our work has continued to expand at the district level this spring. Bringing Caring Campus to district offices helps create a fully cohesive and aligned Caring District, where every employee is empowered in their role to help students thrive.
Our strong partnerships with the Ascendium Education Group, ECMC Foundation, Greater Texas Foundation, Lumina Foundation, and Trellis Foundation have helped widen our impact even further. With grants supporting Caring Campus implementation across the country, we are expanding our reach and building on the momentum of this vital work.
As we look ahead, we are thrilled to host our second annual Caring Campus Conference: Developing a Legacy of Impact. You asked for Nashville, and we delivered! We hope you will join us November 11-13, 2026, for another standout event designed to equip you with actionable tools and strategies to deepen your institution’s caring culture. Register today!
As I previously shared, effective July 1, 2026, I will be stepping back as President/CEO of IEBC and Caring Campus and transitioning to a half-time capacity. Our Vice President and COO, Ken Sherwood, will be assuming the role of CEO and Dr. Bola King-Rushing, currently Associate Vice President of Caring Campus, will also be stepping into a new leadership position as President. I am confident that Caring Campus will continue to thrive under their leadership.
Sincerely,
Brad C. Phillips, Ph.D. IEBC PRESIDENT/CEO
SOCCCD Strengthens Student Success Through Districtwide Caring Campus Implementation
South Orange County Community College District (SOCCCD) is elevating its culture by bringing Caring Campus to the District level, bridging District Services with its two community colleges: Saddleback College and Irvine Valley College.
SOCCCD is the second District office to implement Caring Campus, ensuring care and support flow from District Services to both the colleges and students.
The entire District ecosystem plays an important role in climate and culture, which ultimately leads to successful and equitable outcomes for students. I thought the best way to address this was to bring Caring Campus to our District level.”
SOCCCD CHANCELLOR DR. JULIANNA BARNES
The District’s two colleges have also both individually adopted Caring Campus. Chancellor Barnes said this has helped elevate and strengthen the learning culture at each institution, which in turn supports stronger student outcomes.
SOCCCD funded its implementation of Caring Campus using Institutional Effectiveness and Partnership Initiative (IEPI) funds.
South Orange County Community College District is elevating its culture by bringing Caring Campus to the District level, creating a fully realized Caring District.
Thank you to the wonderful folks at IEPI, who have made funding available specifically to support California colleges and districts in advancing operational effectiveness and student success, which includes the implementation of Caring Campus.
Contact Ken Sherwood at ksherwood@iebcnow.org to learn more!
Six Colleges to Examine Impact of Caring Campus through National Study
Six community colleges from across the country will help demonstrate the impact of Caring Campus through a quantitative study, funded by the Lumina Foundation, examining student outcomes and their relationship to a culture of care.
Lawson State Community College, Patrick & Henry Community College, Oakton College, Hartnell College, Temple College, and Ranger College will each participate in the grant-funded study. Together, they will help build a data-informed understanding of how intentionally fostering connection and belonging influences student outcomes.
“Lawson State has seen transformational change across our institution since implementing Caring Campus,” Lawson State President Dr. Cynthia Anthony said. “We’ve experienced the qualitative impact, but this study will allow us to close the loop by examining the data behind what we did, how we did it, and the impact it made.”
Over the past few years, Lawson State has seen increases in both fall-to-fall and fall-to-spring retention, as well as marked improvement in overall student success.
Lawson State Community College is one of six community colleges across the country to demonstrate the impact of Caring Campus through a quantitative study, funded by the Lumina Foundation.
Texas Community Colleges Advance Student Care Through Trellis Foundation Grant
A shared commitment to student success is uniting four Texas community colleges – Brazosport College, Clarendon College, Texarkana College, and Hill College – to strengthen campus cultures of care through Caring Campus, with support from a Trellis Foundation grant completed in December 2025.
At Brazosport College, leadership leveraged the support of the Trellis Foundation to implement Caring Campus for staff and has chosen to extend that commitment by investing institutional funds to also bring Caring Campus to faculty.
The most important aspect of Caring Campus is that it addresses what many colleges are struggling with today, which is human connection. In a world dominated by AI and social media, Caring Campus teaches us to purposefully connect with people in meaningful ways. We need that now more than ever.
The grant has helped expand Caring Campus across Texas, supporting colleges as they build intentional, sustainable cultures of care for students.
BRAZOSPORT COLLEGE PRESIDENT DR. VINCENT SOLIS
Brazosport College is one of four Texas community colleges to strengthen its campus culture of care with Caring Campus, funded by a grant from the Trellis Foundation.
Showcase your college’s commitment to student success by applying for Caring Campus Certification today!
Rural Colleges Go All-In with Caring Campus
Rural community colleges are proving that faculty and staff can create meaningful change through Caring Campus regardless of size or geographic location, removing barriers, building trust, and strengthening student success.
At Ranger College, meetings often begin with Random Acts of Kindness witnessed on campus – whether it be faculty helping students navigate unfamiliar spaces, staff stepping up beyond their job descriptions, or acts of generosity that extend into the surrounding community. These efforts have helped the college earn Silver Caring Campus Certification.
Our students need to know they’re cared about more than anything. Once trust and care are established, it removes a barrier, especially for firstgeneration and marginalized students who may already feel hesitant or uncertain.
Ranger College’s Caring Campus implementation was supported by a grant from the Greater Texas Foundation.
At Texas A&M University – Kingsville (TAMUK), Caring Campus has taken root just as powerfully. Supported by a rural-focused grant from the ECMC Foundation, the university earned Bronze Certification after only one year of implementation. By engaging departments across campus, TAMUK is demonstrating how rural institutions can go all-in on building a culture of care that helps students feel they belong.
RANGER COLLEGE PRESIDENT DR. DERRICK WORRELS
Rural community colleges are proving that faculty and staff can create meaningful change through Caring Campus.
MiraCosta Reinforces Student Success with Caring Campus Refresh
At MiraCosta College, staff have made a concerted effort to support student success – an effort that will be further strengthened by the college embarking on a Caring Campus Refresh, re-engaging staff in the principles necessary to create a supportive and caring educational environment for students.
From walking a student across campus to ensure they find the right building, to staying with a student until a problem is fully resolved, classified professionals are already creating meaningful interactions that leave lasting impressions.
“Students remember when you help them – and they also remember when you don’t,” Classified Senate President Carl Banks said. “That’s why this work matters. Caring Campus reminds us all of the bigger picture and why we exist: to support students and help them succeed.”
MiraCosta College pursued a Caring Campus Refresh to continue expanding on the work its staff began in 2019. A key factor in the decision was the opportunity to involve administrators more deeply, ensuring classified professionals feel supported and empowered by their leaders.
Revitalize your Caring Campus efforts with a Refresh!
Contact Ken Sherwood at ksherwood@iebcnow.org to learn more.
MiraCosta College staff are strengthening their culture of care with a Caring Campus Refresh.
Caring Campus Conference 2026
Registration Now Open!
Registration is now open for our second annual Caring Campus Conference: Developing a Legacy of Impact. Join us in Nashville, November 11-13, for three days of connection, innovation, and sessions on the proven strategies and meaningful connections driving student success on campuses.
The conference will feature an exceptional keynote speaker lineup, including Dr. Linda García, Executive Director of the Center for Community College Student Engagement (CCCSE) and the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD); Dr. Davis Jenkins, Senior Research Scholar at the Community College Research Center; and Dr. Peter Felten, Assistant Provost for Teaching and Learning, Executive Director of the Center for Engaged Learning, and Professor of History at Elon University.
We are also accepting proposals for interactive presentations that spotlight the innovative strategies, stories, and creative Caring Campus practices you have implemented on your campus. Submit a proposal by Friday, October 9.
