Community College Research Initiatives

April 18, 2019

Research-to-Practice for Washington SBCTC

Recently CCRI had the opportunity to partner with the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) to share transfer and applied baccalaureate research with professionals across the state.

The SBCTC convenes professionals from across Washington’s community and technical colleges to share best practices and drive student success reform. The board is comprised of several councils and commissions that focus on different aspects of community and technical colleges – from academic advising to internal operations to policy initiatives. In order to support knowledge and professional development for these groups, SBCTC often brings in partners such as CCRI to offer specific expertise.

Over the past several months CCRI researchers have presented primers on qualitative research, equity frameworks and adaptive leadership to SBCTC commissions and councils, including:

  • Washington State Student Services Commission (WSSSC): The members of this commission are from student service departments across the state, and develop policy recommendations based on research, development and evaluation. CCRI presented on guided pathways, equity, and change leadership. View presentation.
  • College Spark Washington (CSW) Guided Pathways Winter Cohort Retreat: College teams convened for their winter retreat to focus on the technical aspects of program mapping sessions alongside the adaptive change work that is critical for sustainability. CCRI presented on equity and adaptive leadership. View Presentation.
  • Research and Planning Commission: This commission convenes institutional research professionals who work with SBCTC to improve availability and quality of data, as well as to support research and analysis needs of other commissions and councils. CCRI presented qualitative research methods to this group. View Presentation.
  • Baccalaureate Leadership Council: The council includes baccalaureate degree program leaders from community and technical colleges, and liaisons from related groups. CCRI researchers presented on evidence-based and equity-focused applied/community college baccalaureate degrees. View Presentation.