The power of community, collaboration, and real solutions was on full display at the 2024 Complete College America Annual Convening. As registration opens for the 2025 gathering, past attendees share what made their experience so valuable.
When higher education professionals gather with purpose, magic happens. Ideas transform into action. Challenges meet solutions. And isolated efforts become powerful collective movements.
This was precisely the experience for attendees at Complete College America’s 2024 Annual Convening, where discussions on transfer credit, prior learning assessment, and learner mobility created a vibrant atmosphere of problem-solving and connection.
Voices from the Field: What Made the 2024 Convening Special
For Roxanne Murphy, Director of Postsecondary Attainment at the Arizona Board of Regents, the 2024 convening, which took place in Indianapolis in November, addressed pressing issues at exactly the right moment.
“The 2024 CCA Annual Convening was an incredible experience that felt both timely and impactful,” Murphy shared. “The focus on transfer credit, credit for prior learning, and learner mobility resonated with the challenges and opportunities we face in higher education today.”
But the convening wasn’t just about identifying problems—it delivered solutions. Murphy highlighted how these discussions showcased “practical solutions for improving student pathways, particularly for those navigating complex educational journeys.”
Breaking Down Silos, Building Bridges
A consistent theme emerged from attendees’ reflections: the power of cross-institutional and cross-state collaboration.
“One of the key takeaways for me was the emphasis on collaboration across states and institutions,” said Murphy. “Connecting with peers from other regions provided fresh perspectives and actionable ideas that I’ve been able to incorporate into my work.”
Kristin Brooks, who attended as a representative from South Carolina before joining CCA as Strategy Director, echoed this sentiment: “What I valued most was the opportunity to engage in candid, solution-oriented discussions with colleagues from across the country who are equally committed to improving student success.”
For Brooks, one standout moment was “recognizing the critical role of collaboration and communication between institutions and the state higher education office.” She noted that the convening “reinforced that student success efforts cannot be siloed within individual institutions—true progress requires a coordinated, statewide approach.”
Bringing Solutions Home
The true measure of any professional gathering is what happens afterward—and CCA Annual Convening attendees reported significant impact on their work.
Andrew Morse, now Vice President for Development and Strategic Partnerships at CCA, previously attended while working in Washington state. He summed up the experience succinctly: “CCA brings together today’s leaders to connect need with know-how. I took away many dynamic solutions other states and institutions are implementing to address the access and completion challenges facing my home state.”
Brooks shared how attending the convening “reinforced the importance of data-driven decision-making and student-centered strategies in college completion efforts.” She was able to bring innovative approaches back to South Carolina, “helping to shape policy discussions and programmatic efforts to support student persistence and success.”
More Than Professional Development—A Community
Beyond the tactical benefits, attendees described the emotional and motivational boost that comes from connecting with like-minded professionals.
“Personally, the convening reinforced my belief in the importance of holistic approaches to learner mobility,” Murphy reflected. “It’s not just about policies—it’s about creating systems that truly support students in achieving their goals.”
Brooks found that the experience “reignited my passion for this work by connecting me with a community of like-minded professionals who are dedicated to making higher education more accessible and equitable.”
Join Us for NEXT: 2025 CCA Annual Convening
Ready to join this community of change-makers? The 2025 CCA Annual Convening, themed “Next,” will be held November 17-19 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Registration and the call for proposals are now open. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this transformative event that consistently delivers value to higher education stakeholders committed to student success.
Register now and submit your proposal
Join us as we explore what’s NEXT in higher education and collaborate on solutions that will shape the future of student success.
