Last month, the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (Chancellor’s Office) hosted Rising Scholars 2030: From Local Beginnings to Leading the Nation in Sacramento. This statewide convening highlighted the growth of the Rising Scholars Network, which has become a nationally recognized system serving more than 30,000 students annually at over 100 colleges focused on shaping the next chapter of justice-impacted education in California.

Faculty, classified professionals, administrators, and community-based partners engaged with strategies to expand enrollment, improve degree completion, strengthen transfer pathways, and connect students to meaningful careers. Sessions explored institutional alignment, system coordination, and implementation approaches, equipping participants to move promising practices into sustainable programs that benefit justice-impacted students in every region of the state.

The convening featured inspiring keynotes and general sessions, including powerful student voices and statewide leadership perspectives. Breakout sessions and peer learning opportunities gave participants hands-on guidance in program design, policy navigation, data-informed decision-making, and cross-sector collaboration. In addition, networking and regional collaboration sessions provided space for colleges, local partners, and system leaders to exchange tools, insights, and actionable models, reinforcing the shared momentum of Vision 2030.

Rising Scholars coordinators, program staff, faculty, counselors, and classified professionals came together alongside community-based reentry and education partners, college leaders, and students to strengthen practices that advance justice-impacted education. Attendees left the convening with new strategies and connections to align local and statewide efforts, enhance equitable student supports, and accelerate pathways to college and career success.

FoundationCCC’s Success Center for California Community Colleges partners with the Chancellor’s Office to support the evolving needs of the Rising Scholars Network. This collaboration strengthens our commitment to Vision 2030 by expanding educational access and fostering outcomes for system-impacted students, including those who are incarcerated or formerly incarcerated.