From the Nominator

"As California works toward a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive community college environment, the California Community Colleges' strategic plan, the Vision for Success, and the data we gather are more important than ever. With the aim of effectively implementing equity plans across the system, the CCC Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) set out to host “Pathways to Equity.” This event series brought together staff and experts to provide guidance, share strategies, network, and implement plans that drove toward achieving the Vision and meaningful change for students. To execute this idea, the CCCCO engaged the Foundation for California Community Colleges’ (FoundationCCC) in-house conferences & events team. 

Pathways to Equity consisted of three components: Learn, Act, and Change:  

Learn.: ”Learn” consisted of monthly sessions focused on developing, highlighting, and celebrating diversity, equity and inclusion efforts happening at the 116 community colleges. These sessions focused on analysis, data, and action.  

Act.: The second component, the one-day “Act” virtual conference hosted on March 16, 2022, provided community college leaders with an intimate space to communicate, collaborate, network, and discuss equity successes and challenges. Sessions focused on creating intentional equity action plans incorporating student-centered design strategies and built cross-college, interdepartmental relationships. 

Change.: The “Change” regional convenings were three virtual half-day sessions. Campus teams partnered with their Guided Pathways Regional Coordinators to act on learnings from “Learn” and “Act,” and craft an engagement plan that looked at redesigning a program or project aligned with Guided Pathways work and which advanced the Vision for Success."

From the Judges

Innovative approach with the three types of programming. Budget was lean for the broad experience for attendees. Strategic approach to guiding attendees through the materials/discussions. Solid use of workgroups for planning. Good move adding a student panel to the programming