We believe transformation requires all elements of a system to work together to achieve a new normal. When evolving practices are reinforced by new perspectives and smarter policy, they are more likely to take root and lead to lasting change. We work with state systems and colleges and universities to evaluate and align these elements in service to more equitable outcomes for students.

  • Policy: Are our policies creating the right incentives? What barriers can we remove? Are we funding the right priorities?
  • Perspective: What attitudes and beliefs are holding us back? Are we challenging ourselves to see our work in new ways?
  • Practices: Are we following best practice as we design programs, courses, and student supports? Where do we need to improve how we serve students?
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Create a shared transformation agenda for your state, system, or consortia.

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Process & Services

  • 1. Identify Challenges & Opportunities
  • 2. Convene & Equip a Diverse Team
  • 3. Rally Around a Shared Vision
  • 4. Create an Action Plan
  • 5. Implement & Refine

    • Using data as our foundation, we identify barriers to equitable student outcomes and work with leadership to define a clear case for institutional transformation.

    Tailored Offerings

    • Analyze system and institutional data to identify challenges and inequities
    • Review system and institutional policies to understand their impact on student outcomes
    • Conduct a readiness assessment to determine if your state system or institution is ready to begin the transformation process

    We assemble system-wide teams of higher education leaders and help them lead change efforts guided by data and a deep understanding of their state and its institutions.

    Tailored Offerings

    • Identify influential stakeholders capable of leading transformation efforts
    • Host partner convenings to bring the right people around the table as we set the agenda for change
    • Provide leadership development trainings to strengthen the capacity of individuals at the forefront of new efforts

    We help project participants identify a collective vision for success, then craft a plan to prompt action from their peers in pursuit of a shared commitment.

    Tailored Offerings

    • Deliver keynote addresses and provide expert testimony with the goal of aligning key stakeholders
    • Create case-making presentations that can be used to build support for transformation efforts
    • Design and implement communications strategies that invite stakeholders to help us achieve a shared vision

    We provide a clear framework to guide implementation and bring in content experts from across our network to support the development of detailed action plans.

    Tailored Offerings

    • Lead strategic planning sessions with system and institutional teams to align time, resources, and key activities
    • Host strategy design workshops where we work with teams to tailor best practices to their specific context

    We provide a clear framework to guide implementation and bring in content experts from across our network to support the development of detailed action plans.

    Tailored Offerings

    • Create and manage communities of practice responsible for implementing new policies, perspectives, and practices
    • Implement new policy changes in partnership with system and institutional leadership
    • Use data to continuously evaluate progress and make adjustments

Projects

    "CCA provides the support for making advances that would otherwise be extremely difficult by a single individual, or even a single institution. By bringing groups together to focus on policy, perspective, and practice CCA catalyzes change and enhances success rates. They enable forums for sharing of ideas and experiences—all focused on student success and equity."

    Vistasp Karbhari

    Past President, University of Texas at Arlington

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    "CCA helped us bring in the region to collaborate. We've created a trust in the community marching towards student success. So many of our campuses do it alone and being able to work together is something we need to push. CCA provided a grounding and the foundation for so much of what's happened. It's almost like it was a second or third stage of a rocket that got us up into orbit, it just really pushed us forward."

    Carlos Ayala

    CEO, Growing Inland Achievement

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    "I have seen first-hand how Complete College America moves strategy into action. CCA engages key stakeholders to map out each step of the process, identify resources, develop timelines, and assign responsibilities that are needed to scale policy and implementation of strategies to increase college completion and close institutional performance gaps. Without CCA, New Mexico would not have been able to accomplish the higher education strategies that have been employed."

    Barbara Damron

    Former Cabinet Secretary for Higher Education for the state of New Mexico

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    "CCA embraces the challenge of addressing big problems with bold strategic solutions. I appreciate both our thought partnership and our collaborative action using data to address roadblocks preventing institutions from accomplishing their student success goals—especially for students and institutions that have often been left behind."

    Barbara Roole

    Director of Equity, Jessie Ball duPont Fund

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    Get Started

    By partnering together, we can bring your institutional leaders together with policymakers and higher education experts to create a shared transformation agenda. By aligning stakeholders who often work in silos, we’ll unlock powerful change. Let’s get started.

    Transforming Institutions