TOGETHER WE ACHIEVE THE EXTRAORDINARY
is committed to creating a culture of care for students, empowering them to persist and succeed.
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Dear Caring Campus Community,
It has truly been a year of growth and transformation for Caring Campus, thanks to the many colleges and universities across the nation whose continued commitment to building cultures of care has elevated student success.
In November, staff, faculty, researchers, and administrators from across the country came together for the inaugural Caring Campus Conference. It was inspiring to learn from one another and from our two outstanding keynote speakers, Dr. Vincent Tinto and Dr. Peter Felten. Attendees left the conference feeling energized and equipped with actionable strategies to strengthen their campuses.
This year, we also recognized nine colleges and universities with Caring Campus Certification, honoring their leadership in embedding care-centered principles and practices that make a measurable difference for students.
This progress would not be possible without the generous support of our foundation partners: Ascendium Education Group, ECMC Foundation, Greater Texas Foundation, Lumina Foundation, and Trellis Foundation . Your
partnership both at the conference and throughout the year continues to drive Caring Campus forward.
As we look ahead, I want to share some personal news. After 18 incredible years, I will be stepping back as President and CEO of IEBC and Caring Campus, effective July 1, 2026, and will continue supporting the organization on a half-time basis. 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. Ken and Bola are exceptional leaders whose dedication and vision will guide Caring Campus into its next chapter.
It has been my honor to serve our Caring Campuses, and I look forward to continuing to support this important work as President and CEO Emeritus. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to students and to the power of care.
Sincerely,
Brad C. Phillips, Ph.D. IEBC President/CEO
Caring Campus is delivering measurable results for students, reinforcing what research has shown: students who feel connected and supported on campus are more likely to persist, stay enrolled, and succeed. A recent report by the Center for Community College Student Engagement (CCCSE) further solidifies this impact, linking strong cultures of care to higher student engagement and stronger GPAs.
The report, “Essential Conditions for Community College Student Success: Maximizing Student Engagement by Fostering a Culture of Caring,” draws on survey data from more than 64,000 students across 167 community colleges. Students who reported experiencing a “strong culture of care” at their institution showed substantially higher engagement across all five CCCSE benchmarks: academic challenge, active and collaborative learning, student effort, student-faculty interaction, and support for learners.
“Care functions as a lever for engagement – once an institution invests in a caring culture, engagement becomes more authentic, deeper, and creates the conditions for student success,” CCCSE Executive Director Dr. Linda Garcia said. “Our report shows that when students feel supported, seen, and connected at their college, their engagement levels and GPAs are higher.”
The report highlights Caring Campus as a leading framework that equips employees in higher education with practical tools and strategies to foster a welcoming environment and lead with care.
Contact IEBC Chief Operating Officer and Caring Campus Vice President Ken Sherwood at ksherwood@iebcnow.org to begin your Caring Campus journey today.
Staff, faculty, and administrators from across the country gathered in San Diego from November 12-14 for the inaugural Caring Campus Conference: Building a National Culture of Care, a milestone celebration of connection, collaboration, and the power of care in action.
Throughout the event, attendees heard from representatives of Caring Campus colleges leading the way in student success, each sharing innovative, actionable strategies from their own Caring Campus journeys. Keynote speakers Dr. Vincent Tinto and Dr. Peter Felten offered powerful insights on student belonging and building lasting cultures of connection.
The conference concluded with the first-ever Caring Campus Awards Ceremony, recognizing outstanding campuses that embody the Caring Campus commitments, including this year’s Caring Campus Certified institutions.
Plans are already underway for the Caring Campus Conference 2026: Building a Legacy of Impact. Stay tuned for more details.
Oakton College has seen a measurable impact from implementing Caring Campus, reflected in increased student persistence rates from semester to semester. Known as “The Persistence Project” at Oakton, the college exemplifies how a culture of care can transform student experiences and outcomes.
The Persistence Project encourages faculty to adopt simple, relationship-building behaviors such as learning students’ names in the first two weeks, scheduling individual check-ins with students, and providing early feedback.
In fall 2024, the college analyzed outcomes for students enrolled in courses taught by faculty participating in the project. The results showed higher fall-to-spring persistence among first-time Oakton students who took at least one course with a Persistence Project faculty member, at 77.4%, compared with 59.6% for their peers. These fall 2024 results align with a consistent trend of increased student persistence seen since the college first implemented the Persistence Project in 2016.
Oakton College presented on their data at the inaugural Caring Campus Conference in November 2025 and received the “DataDriven Culture of Care” award at the firstever Caring Campus Awards Ceremony.
Our biggest takeaway from the Persistence Project is that connection and belonging are critical to student success. Caring Campus provides a framework with clear ways to operationalize and create that caring environment.”
OAKTON COLLEGE PRESIDENT DR. JOIANNE SMITH
Nine community colleges and universities across the nation have achieved Caring Campus Certification in its inaugural year, a distinction honoring institutions that exemplify what it means to lead with care while advancing student persistence, retention, and success.
Patrick & Henry Community College in Virginia has made Caring Campus history as the first institution to earn gold certification, while Northeast Lakeview College and Ranger College in Texas, along with West Los Angeles, Yuba, Hartnell, and Mission colleges in California, have each earned silver certification. Texas A&M University – Kingsville in Texas and Los Angeles Pierce College in California have both achieved bronze certification.
Each of these institutions demonstrate a deep commitment to fostering connection, belonging, and opportunity for all students. From institutionalizing Caring Campus into hiring processes and launching Acts of Kindness campaigns, to wearing branded attire and hosting engaging events to create a welcoming environment, each campus is putting students first in meaningful, visible ways.
“Earning gold certification affirms that Caring Campus has truly become part of our culture and daily practice,” Dean of Student Services at Patrick & Henry Meghan Eggleston said. The certification process not only highlighted how far we’ve come, but also provided clarity on where we can grow next.”
All nine institutions were recognized at the Caring Campus Conference in November 2025. Your college could be next to earn Certification!
Applying for Certification is free for Caring Campus Network members!
Become a member today.
College is one of nine institutions to receive Caring Campus Certification in its inaugural year, showcasing its dedication to student success.
Before a new employee even sets foot on campus, they have already been introduced to the caring culture that defines Hinds Community College. Through Caring Campus, the Human Resources department helps create a welcoming environment that supports students and employees from day one.
Caring Campus expectations are outlined in job descriptions, new employee orientations, and annual performance evaluations. The college also requires yearly professional development sessions focused on Caring Campus to reinforce its commitment to creating a student-centered culture.
The HR department is the first point of contact for all new hires, and we have the opportunity to not only tell them about Caring Campus, but to model it,” Hinds Director of Organizational Development Dr. Gay Saxon said. “It gives people a better understanding of the caring environment they’re coming into, and what is expected of them.”
From an instructor checking in on a grieving student, to a housekeeper celebrating academic wins, Caring Campus has helped Hinds College strengthen employee-student relationships.
“I have seen a notable difference in how employees interact with students after going through Caring Campus, and it’s making a meaningful impact,” Saxon said.
With the help of Caring Campus, Hinds College’s HR department is shaping a welcoming environment that supports students and employees from day one.
The Caring Campus Academy (CCA) is designed to unite staff, faculty, and administrators around a shared commitment to student success –strengthening campus culture and deepening the impact of care.
For the first time, the CCA will be open to colleges and universities regardless of whether or not they have participated in Caring Campus, broadening the national culture of care even further.
Dr. Vincent Tinto delivered an inspiring keynote speech at the inaugural Caring Campus Conference in November 2025. Join us for our spring CCA cohort starting the week of April 13. Sign up here today!
