In this episode of CCA on the Air, host Jamia Stokes introduces listeners to Complete College America's other Alliance engagement directors: Jonathan Gowin, Nichole Mann, and Jennifer Torres. The conversation features all four regional directors who share their personal journeys, professional backgrounds, and the unique perspectives they bring to their work advancing college completion and closing equity gaps across the United States. What makes this conversation particularly powerful is how each director connects their personal experiences, many as first-generation college students themselves, to their professional commitment to making higher education more accessible, navigable, and successful for all students. Their stories underscore why the work of improving college completion rates is both a professional mission and a deeply personal calling.

This episode of "CCA on the Air" features an interview with Dr. Jon Anderson, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Eastern Washington University, about "unapologetic handholding"—a student success philosophy that provides intentional, high-touch support without compromising academic standards. Dr. Anderson explains how this approach helps demystify higher education systems for students, particularly first-generation learners, through proactive advising, early alerts, and structured guidance across the student journey. The conversation highlights practical examples and emphasizes meeting students where they are while helping them develop independence.

How can we help students discover a deeper sense of purpose in their education? In this episode, we explore how Nashville State Community College, in partnership with Motivate Lab, brings relevance affirmation research to life through the Values Connection Activity to strengthen students' sense of purpose, persistence, and belonging. Tune in to hear how this simple but powerful approach is transforming student success, connecting coursework to personal values and future goals for a more engaging and fulfilling academic journey.

Targeted networks and student-centered approaches can transform educational outcomes for under-resourced communities. By connecting Historically Black and Predominantly Black Community Colleges, Alabama Possible is changing narratives, amplifying student voices, and creating economic pathways in one of the nation's poorest states. Join CCA Alliance Engagement Director Jamia Stokes in conversation with Alabama Possible Executive Director Chandra Scott.

Building stackable credentials requires faculty to decide what skills are fundamental to students' future success. At Red Rocks Community College, business faculty decided that one of those skills is cultural intelligence, and students immediately connected with the concept. Learn more about CQ and how it supports stackable learning approaches in this episode of CCA on the Air with Stephanie Schooley and Julio Suarez of Red Rocks Community College.

Explore the vital connections between college completion and a thriving democracy in this session recorded at All In: The 2024 CCA Annual Convening. Join education leaders and innovators as they tackle one of today's most pressing challenges: restoring public trust in higher education while expanding access and success for all students. From innovative state programs to student perspectives on classroom discourse, this conversation offers fresh insights into the future of higher education and its vital role in strengthening democracy. Featuring Dr. Yolanda Watson Spiva, President, Complete College America; Chris Lowery, Commissioner, Indiana Commission on Higher Education; Dr. Nicola Blake, Senior Fellow for Strategic Initiatives and Student Success, City University of New York; Darryl Cooper, Member of the Class of 2025, Howard University; and Dr. Carol Geary Schneider, Senior Advisor, Civic Learning and Democracy Engagement Coalition.

Both math pathways and corequisite supports increase the chances of students making it through gateway math courses, but the current research is limited to demonstrating early benefits. How can using both initiatives together support a better path for long term student success? CCA talks with Dr. Taylor Darwin of the Dana Center about what pathways and coreq math look like when they're integrated as part of a holistic approach to student success.

For many students, college completion starts even before application. Building a sense of community and onboarding students in a way that fosters campus engagement from the very beginning is one way that campuses can support a larger culture of completion. Dr. Lindsay Faulstick (Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students) and Chris Hitchcock (Executive Director, Office of Admission) at Hanover College share how they work together to share data, encourage engagement, and create community that extends beyond the first year.

How do we move from insight to implementation in student success reforms? In the latest from CCA on the Air, Melinda Mechur Karp, Ph.D., Founder & Principal at Phase Two Advisory, discusses innovative placement practices and developmental education reform. In this episode, we talk about moving beyond traditional placement tests to more holistic approaches and how institutions can use lessons from adult learners to provide flexible, targeted support to all students. Dr. Karp, a researcher and sociologist by training, also dives into the relationship between research and implementation in driving meaningful change for students.

As institutions ramp up recruiting for adult learners, their increased presence on four-year campuses highlights both the strengths of this population and some unique gaps in existing student success strategies. On this episode of CCA On the Air, Pamela K O'Neal, MA, MPH, EdD, associate director of student engagement in the Office of Online and Adult Learning, and Brett Bruner, EdD, assistant vice president of student success and persistence in the Office of the Provost, share Wichita State University's approach with the Office of Online and Adult Learning influences student support campus-wide.

Join us for Complete College America's "United for Change" Virtual Event on Oct 26-28 as we explore the unique role we each play in reshaping policy, perspective, and practice for the betterment of our nation’s students.

The stories of 20 new grads remind us why we must continue to fight for policies and practices that replace the broken systems of the past and create justice and opportunity for all.

The stories of 20 new grads remind us why we must continue to fight for policies and practices that replace the broken systems of the past and create justice and opportunity for all.

Designs - including posters, presentations and ads - that can be used for a 15 to Finish campaign.

CCA's episodic report celebrates the history of the organization and the work of the Alliance Members that have pushed to make change for students across the country.