Institute for Evidence-Based Change (IEBC) Caring Campus – Spring 2025 Newsletter

INSTITUTE FOR EVIDENCE-BASED CHANGE CARING CAMPUS

SPRING 2025 NEWSLETTER

TOGETHER WE ACHIEVE THE EXTRAORDINARY

Delta College in Michigan has embedded Caring Campus into its culture, fostering student belonging, connections, and success.

INSTITUTE FOR EVIDENCE-BASED CHANGE CARING CAMPUS

A Message from the CEO Dear Caring Campus Community, Caring Campus continues to grow as colleges and universities across the country demonstrate how a culture of care transforms student experiences, improves retention and engagement, and strengthens success.

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As we continue expanding the culture of care, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our funders who help make all this possible. The ECMC Foundation, Ascendium Education Group, and the Greater Texas Foundation continue to champion this critical work, and we are excited to welcome the Trellis Foundation as a new partner.

Looking ahead, we are thrilled to host the inaugural Caring Campus Conference 2025: Building a National Culture of Care in San Diego, California this November – a milestone event bringing together institutional administrators, staff, faculty, and researchers dedicated to student success.

Thank you for your commitment to Caring Campus.

Together, we are redefining what it means to support students, ensuring that every campus is a place where students feel valued, connected, and empowered.

We are also embarking on a new chapter with a statewide Caring Campus approach. We are partnering with the Virginia Community College System to introduce Caring Campus across all 23 community colleges, embedding a culture of care on a broad scale and connecting colleges statewide in this important work.

Brad C. Phillips, Ph.D. IEBC President/CEO

Sincerely,

CARING CAMPUS COLLEGE SPOTLIGHT

Science Student Flourishes at Texas A&M – Kingsville with Support of Caring Campus At Texas A&M University – Kingsville (TAMUK), a caring and welcoming culture is a cornerstone of the student experience. As a Caring Campus, TAMUK fosters an environment where students feel valued and supported in achieving their educational goals.

Amberly Zaragoza, a graduate student in plant and soil science, credits the caring culture at TAMUK with not only keeping her enrolled, but inspiring her to pursue post-graduate education.

Everyone at TAMUK is so welcoming, whether it’s professors, staff, or even fellow students – there’s always someone there to offer help or encouragement,” said Zaragoza, who plans to pursue a Ph.D. once she completes her graduate program in May 2025. “They can’t seem to get rid of me here, so much so that I want to return as a professor and continue contributing to this great campus.”

Zaragoza says that the culture at TAMUK helped her overcome challenges, particularly when she struggled with the demands of graduate school.

“It’s a really big thing when staff and faculty go out of their way to help students,” Zaragoza said. “Having staff and faculty members who reach out and support students on their own really goes a long way.”

Texas A&M University – Kingsville (TAMUK) student Amberly Zaragoza credits the Caring Campus culture at TAMUK with her success as a graduate student.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Kth_onva_c

Victor Valley College Testimonial

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Victor Valley College (VVC) has experienced a transformation by weaving Caring Campus principles and strategies across its campus, impacting the college’s culture, enrollment, and community engagement, and making VVC a model for other institutions of higher education. Despite a 20 percent drop in enrollment during the COVID-19 pandemic, VVC has rebounded with a 50 percent increase over the past two years.

Caring Campus has helped to redefine what it means to be a part of Victor Valley College,” Dr. Walden said. “Our culture has really come alive and can be seen everywhere. Our campus is extremely vibrant, and faculty, staff, students, and community members can feel that difference.”

CARING CAMPUS COLLEGE SPOTLIGHT

Pasco-Hernando State College has embedded initiatives inspired by Caring Campus into life on campus, including “Release of the Quackins,” when thousands of rubber ducks with positive messages are released around campus to provide encouragement to students.

Pasco-Hernando State College in Florida demonstrated an unwavering commitment to student care during the recent hurricanes, with staff and faculty going above and beyond to provide critical support to students in need.

Pasco-Hernando State College Provides Crucial Support to Students Amid Hurricanes Amid the turmoil of recent hurricanes, students at Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) in Florida discovered that their college was more than just a campus – it was a lifeline.

When Hurricane Helene struck, student Dara Gibbs received financial aid, food, and cleaning supplies after severe flooding damaged her home.

Receiving aid from my college made me feel hopeful and happy about the future,” Gibbs said. “But even beyond the hurricane, Pasco-Hernando has helped me with free diapers, food for my family, and a childcare grant. Anything I need, they’re always there for me.”

Epifanio Colon, a paramedic student, faced weeks without power when a lightning strike hit his apartment during the storm. PHSC staff personally called to check on him and provide him with essential supplies.

After storm damage forced Rachelle Wills to move, PHSC provided emergency funds and pantry items, helping her manage bills and lost wages.

“Receiving aid from the college made me feel like I am more than just a student,” Wills said. “PHSC truly cares about our well-being beyond our education.”

PHSC’s swift, compassionate response reflects its core values of community and care.

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CARING CAMPUS MILESTONES

Caring Campus Conference 2025: Building a National Culture of Care Join us for our inaugural Caring Campus Conference from November 12-14 in beautiful San Diego! This conference promises to be an unforgettable event with renowned keynote speakers Dr. Vincent Tinto and Dr. Peter Felten, dynamic working groups designed to equip attendees with actionable strategies, and the first-ever Caring Campus Certification recognition ceremony.

Dr. Vincent Tinto (left) and Dr. Peter Felten, two of the nation’s foremost experts on student success, will be featured keynote speakers at the inaugural Caring Campus Conference 2025: Building a National Culture of Care.

Caring Campus:Network, Academy, and Certification The Caring Campus Network (CCN) and the Caring Campus Academy (CCA) are both designed to provide colleges and universities with tools and resources to further their commitment to student success.

Through the CCN, members receive invaluable benefits including discounts on the Caring Campus Conference, exclusive webinars, access to an artifacts database, and inclusion in a network of like-minded individuals from across the nation. Institutions receive one year of free CCN membership upon beginning their Caring Campus coaching sessions and can renew their membership at any time.

The CCA offers a transformative series of sessions open to all Caring Campus employees – including new hires – to ensure that every member of your institution is united in its commitment to student success.

Keep an eye out for more details on our upcoming fall CCA cohort.

We chose to send ten team members to the Academy because of our commitment to creating a supportive and caring environment for all students. The Academy helps institutionalize Caring Campus principles, making it easier to sustain these efforts even as new employees join the college.”

KRISTEN HOLMES, VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENTS AND CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER, WALLACE STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

SECURE YOUR SPOT TODAY!

The Caring Campus certification program formally recognizes the resources and efforts institutions are putting into Caring Campus implementation and serves as a mark of excellence in creating a studentcentered culture. Institutions can apply for certification through May 31.

CARING CAMPUS BY THE NUMBERS

Paris Junior College: A Caring Campus Case Study Paris Junior College launched Caring Campus in fall 2022, embracing it as “PJC Cares.”

Through meaningful connections with faculty and staff, students experienced increased engagement and success, demonstrating the power of a supportive campus community.

In fall 2021, a control class had a 53.4 percent success rate. After deploying intentional Caring Campus engagement strategies, this same class saw a jump to more than 75 percent success in fall 2024. Although not the only pedagogical change, Caring Campus strategies played a large part in redesigning the nature of the course.

53.4% 2021

75% 2024

Success Rates Full-time Students persistence rates

57% 2020

55% 2021

54%

58%

82%

36%

37%

58%

2022

2023*

2024

Part-time Students persistence rates

35% 2020

33% 2021

2022

2023*

2024

Caring Colleges-focused Class persistence rates

Want to learn how your school can implement Caring Campus?

46.2% 59.5% 62.1% 64.4% 90.3% 2020

2021

2022

2023*

2024

Contact IEBC Chief Operating Officer and Caring Campus Vice President Ken Sherwood at ksherwood@iebcnow.org to begin your Caring Campus journey today!

*2023 was the first year of purposeful Caring Campus implementation 7

Wallace State Community College has created an environment where students feel valued, supported, and connected through Caring Campus.

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