October 7-9, 2026 in Garden Grove, CA
Strengthening Student
Success Conference 2026
RECLAIMING JOY:
Reconnect. Refocus. Revolutionize.
The Strengthening Student Success Conference is presented by The RP Group in partnership with 3CSN and the Career Ladders Project.
We believe that student success thrives when we learn, lead, and innovate together. Strengthening Student Success Conference 2026 (SSSC26) offers a unique opportunity for California community college (CCC) professionals—faculty, deans, student services staff, IRPE professionals, and more—to connect across roles and campuses. Together, we’ll explore strategies to improve equitable outcomes, strengthen institutional effectiveness, and build leadership capacity. Through interactive sessions, thought-provoking plenaries, and innovative learning opportunities, the conference fosters meaningful dialogue and collaboration across disciplines. Join us for three days of shared learning, connection, and inspiration at SSSC26.
Conference registration includes the following:
- Inspiration & Insights — Attend all plenary sessions and choose from over 30 dynamic breakout sessions by practitioners from across the CCC system.
- Meaningful Connections — Network with peers, thought leaders, and innovators to grow your professional circle.
- Tasty Perks — Enjoy breakfast, refreshments, and lunches that keep you energized and ready to engage—all included.
- Exclusive Access — Connect through our mobile app and event community, showcase your profile, and start meaningful conversations before, during, and after the event.
The conference will be hosted October 7–8, with optional half-day post-conference workshops on October 9.
SSSC26 Theme
Reclaiming Joy: Reconnect. Refocus. Revolutionize.
For over 100 years, California’s community colleges have been the heart of educational access, equity, and opportunity for all. And while our mission to serve all students in all our communities has not wavered, we have experienced profound challenges in recent years. This year’s Strengthening Student Success Conference invites faculty, classified professionals, administrators, and student‑support professionals to gather under a theme that reflects both urgency and optimism: Reclaiming Joy: Reconnect. Refocus. Revolutionize.
This year’s theme calls on us to reclaim the joy inherent in learning, collaboration, and student transformation—and to use that joy as a catalyst for meaningful change. Joy is not a distraction from the work—joy is the work. By centering joy, we create environments where students thrive, educators feel renewed, and institutions evolve with purpose. We will be inspired to reconnect by rebuilding meaningful connections—with each other, with our students, within our communities, and with ourselves. We will be motivated to refocus as we cut through the noise and trials of the last few years to focus on what truly matters: our students And finally, we will be challenged to revolutionize our campuses by thinking boldly to reimagine what is possible and by acting courageously to make significant, sustainable changes that will propel us all into a better, more joyful future.
Strengthening Student Success Conference 2026 will provide you with uplifting energy, practical insight, and creative exploration. Consider it a reset button: joyous, forward-looking, and deeply human as we reaffirm our shared commitment to equitable outcomes for all students.
2026 Conference Goals
By attending Strengthening Student Success Conference 2026 (SSSC26), attendees will
- Learn ways to navigate changing landscapes, funding, and other challenges in order to create caring institutions for students, faculty, and staff;
- Commit to students as necessary co-creators of race-conscious and equitable student experiences;
- Learn how colleges are integrating practical, equitable, race-conscious, and evidence-based practices to advance student success; and
- Exchange ideas with colleagues and other stakeholders and feel empowered to lead change.
2026 Conference Strands
This year’s conference sessions are organized across six strands.