The Foundation has championed and supported the California Community Colleges Student Success Initiative—a widespread reform effort led by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to promote student success and completion from inception to implementation. 

In 2009, the Foundation brought together five philanthropic partners to support the launch of the California Community Colleges Student Success Task Force, an independent group of academic and administrative practitioners, researchers, and educational policy leaders involved in a 12-month study of best practices in higher education systems throughout the nation. This work culminated in the Student Success Initiative, a set of 22 recommendations designed to dramatically increase completion and transfer rates. These recommendations were adopted by the Board of Governors in 2012 and have become guiding policy for our system. 

In 2012, the Foundation named Student Success as our flagship initiative and now operates and supports a number of Student Success aligned projects that aim to increase the number of students who obtain certificates or degrees or transfer to a university.

California Connects 

Inspired by the original digital literacy program, California Connects Mobile Internet aims to close the broadband gap in California and nationwide. California Connects includes a mobile hotspot that lets you stay connected to the internet in school, at home, and on the go. 

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California Guided Pathways Project 

The California Guided Pathway Project is designed to substantially increase the amount of students who earn a certificate or degree at a California Community College. The project will help California community colleges implement an integrated, institution-wide approach to student success by creating structured educational experiences that support each student from point of entry to attainment of high-quality postsecondary credentials and careers. 

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Civic Impact Project 

The California Community Colleges Civic Impact Project and its corresponding "Be a part of it all" campaign is a non-partisan, collaborative effort between the Foundation, the Chancellor's Office, and local Community Colleges to increase civic participation among Community College students. In its inaugural year, 25 colleges participated in the project.

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Step:Forward

The Step:Forward campaign aims to help students understand priority registration and get the courses they need to succeed. The Step:Forward website is a valuable tool for students at all Community Colleges, helping them understand the new requirements for priority registration and take the steps needed to reach their educational goals. 

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Success Center for California Community Colleges 

The Success Center for California Community Colleges—launched in 2014 by the Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and the Foundation for California Community Colleges—acts as a hub of support for projects around the state that improve college completion rates and promote student success. 

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California Acceleration Project

The California Acceleration Project supports the state’s 114 community colleges to redesign their developmental English and math curricula and increase student completion.

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California College Guidance Initiative

Housed at the Foundation for California Community Colleges, the California College Guidance Initiative works to ensure that all 6th-12th grade students in California have access to a systematic baseline of guidance and support as they plan, prepare, and pay for college. 

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