Strengthening Student
Success Conference 2026
Attendee & Presenter Resources
Planning & Funding Your Attendance
Select an option below:
- Attending as a Team
- Funding Ideas
- Ways to reduce costs
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Making the Most of Your Team’s SSSC Experience
The Strengthening Student Success Conference (SSSC) highlights practice at all levels of the community college, from individual interactions to institutional change.
The strands and sessions address issues that cross colleges’ internal boundaries, so it is natural that many colleges send cross-functional teams composed of faculty, counselors, administrators, researchers, and others from across the campus. Professional learning is powerful when it is shared.
Coming collaboratively allows a team to organize and attend more sessions. This approach saves money and provides your team members with ideas and connections that can motivate and encourage them as they work to implement changes on your campus. If you and your colleagues are attending SSSC as a team, we offer the following recommendations for making the most of your experience.
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Recommendations
Before the conference
Meet before the conference starts, either in a formal meeting or an informal get-together. This may be a chance to meet colleagues from across your college whom you didn’t know before.
Look over the conference schedule to identify possible sessions of interest, particularly topics that are currently a focus of work at your college.
Organize who will cover different sessions, given that there are always several potentially interesting sessions in the same time slot.
During the conference
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Touch base with your colleagues as you pass in the halls. Share ideas while they are fresh and in the moment.
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Get together for a meal: meet over breakfast or debrief together over dinner.
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Keep track of ideas and people from sessions that you and your colleagues want to follow up with. You might take notes individually or create a shared document to post your “aha” moments during the conference.
After the conference
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Meet after the conference to discuss how to apply the ideas you have gathered.
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Decide how to share ideas with a broader college audience.
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Plan how you will contact people or programs that you want to learn more about.
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Student Equity and Achievement (SEA) Funds
Student Equity and Achievement funds (SEA) on your campus may include professional learning as part of their Student Equity plan. If you aren’t already, become friends with the person overseeing these funds and make your case for funding your conference attendance. Presenters for every conference session must demonstrate how their work aligns with the state’s equity work.
Justification: “I would like to attend the Strengthening Student Success Conference (SSSC) and am asking for funding from SEA. The SSSC is designed by and for California community college practitioners to share best practices and learn from each other. All breakout sessions at the conference link their content to the state’s equity work in support of the Chancellor’s Office’s Vision for Success and our college’s equity plan. The theme for this year’s conference—Reclaiming Joy: Reconnect. Refocus. Revolutionize—calls on us to reclaim the joy inherent in learning, collaboration, and student transformation, to reconnect with our students, refocus on what truly matters (our students), and to revolutionize our campuses to better meet students’ needs.
Here are some of the breakout sessions I would like to attend: [list them here].”
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From Data to Change: Addressing Equity Gaps in First-Year Writing Through Faculty–IR Collaboration
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The Joy of STEPping Into College: A High-Impact, Equity-Focused Approach to Welcoming Students Into College
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CA Adult Education Program (CAEP)
CA Adult Education Program (CAEP) funding can support attendance at this conference. Several breakout sessions are focused on partnerships with local adult education programs. If you aren’t already, become friends with the person overseeing these funds and make your case for funding your conference attendance.
Justification: “I would like to attend the Strengthening Student Success Conference (SSSC), and I am asking for funding from CAEP. The SSSC is designed by and for California community college practitioners to share best practices and learn from each other. The theme for this year’s conference—Reclaiming Joy: Reconnect. Refocus. Revolutionize—calls on us to reclaim the joy inherent in learning, collaboration, and student transformation, to reconnect with our students, refocus on what truly matters (our students), and to revolutionize our campuses to better meet students’ needs.
Here are some of the breakout sessions I would like to attend: [list them here].”
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Dual Enrollment for ALL Adult Education Students
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Reclaiming Value: “Invisible Returns” for Adult Comebackers
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Academic Senate Travel & Conference Funds
Some colleges have Academic Senate travel & conference funds that can be used to attend the conference. Colleges may have a limit on how much these funds can cover, but you might be able to leverage other funding to help cover the full cost of your attendance.
Justification: “I would like to attend the Strengthening Student Success Conference (SSSC), and I am asking for funding from Academic Senate Travel and Conference. The SSSC is designed by and for California community college practitioners to share best practices and learn from each other. The theme for this year’s conference—Reclaiming Joy: Reconnect. Refocus. Revolutionize—calls on us to reclaim the joy inherent in learning, collaboration, and student transformation, to reconnect with our students, refocus on what truly matters (our students), and to revolutionize our campuses to better meet students’ needs.
There are breakout sessions dedicated to topics such as AB 1705, cross-campus collaboration, professional learning and leadership development, student learning, and many more. All of these sessions would apply to my work on campus. Here are some sessions I am interested in attending: [list them here].”
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Are Students Even Reading? Turn Concern Into a Literacy Movement
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Credit by Exam? Yes, We Can! (And So Can You!)
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Title V Funding
If your college has a Title V grant, there may be funds for professional development as a part of the grant. If you aren’t already, become friends with whoever oversees these funds and make your case for funding your conference attendance. Make sure you understand the objectives of your grant so you can show how attending the conference will help your campus achieve the grant's purpose.
Justification: “I would like to attend the Strengthening Student Success Conference (SSSC), and I am asking for funding from Title V. The SSSC is designed by and for California community college practitioners to share best practices and learn from each other. The theme for this year’s conference—Reclaiming Joy: Reconnect. Refocus. Revolutionize—calls on us to reclaim the joy inherent in learning, collaboration, and student transformation, to reconnect with our students, refocus on what truly matters (our students), and to revolutionize our campuses to better meet students’ needs.
The conference features a number of breakout sessions that can help us achieve the objectives of our grant.
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Basic Needs Funding
If your college has received funding to address basic needs on campus, you may be able to request funding to help you attend the conference. You can talk with your college’s Dean of Counseling or your Student Equity Coordinator/Director to see if there is funding to support professional development opportunities.
Justification: “I would like to attend the Strengthening Student Success Conference (SSSC), and I am asking for funding from Basic Needs. The SSSC is designed by and for California community college practitioners to share best practices and learn from each other. The theme for this year’s conference—Reclaiming Joy: Reconnect. Refocus. Revolutionize—calls on us to reclaim the joy inherent in learning, collaboration, and student transformation, to reconnect with our students, refocus on what truly matters (our students), and to revolutionize our campuses to better meet students’ needs.
This theme embodies what we are doing to meet our students' basic needs. Our college has really stepped up in the last few years to support our students in many ways, and if funding is available, I would like to attend and participate in some of the sessions, such as [list here].-
Beyond Major Selection: Using Student Voice to Understand Belonging, Barriers, and Supports
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Building a Student Services-Based Case Management Model: Turning Data, Outreach, and Care Into Action
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Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) Funding
If your college has received Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) funding or other Open Educational Resource (OER) funds, you may be able to request funding to attend the conference. You can talk with your college’s Vice President of Instruction or designated faculty member who is taking the lead on this funding to support professional development opportunities.
Justification: “I would like to attend the Strengthening Student Success Conference (SSSC) and am requesting funding from ZTC. The SSSC is designed by and for California community college practitioners to share best practices and learn from each other. The theme for this year’s conference—Reclaiming Joy: Reconnect. Refocus. Revolutionize—calls on us to reclaim the joy inherent in learning, collaboration, and student transformation, to reconnect with our students, refocus on what truly matters (our students), and to revolutionize our campuses to better meet students’ needs.”
I believe this theme is directly related to ZTC and OER as we work to reduce student costs. If there is funding available, I would like to attend and participate in some of the sessions such as [list here].
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The ZTC Blueprint: Turning Data Into Access
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AB 928 Transfer Alignment Project
Your college has been given funding to complete the AB 928 Transfer Alignment Project, and there may be funds for professional development. Make sure you select breakout sessions that align with the project so you can demonstrate how attending the conference will help your campus achieve the grant’s purpose.
Justification: “I would like to attend the Strengthening Student Success Conference (SSSC) and I am asking for funding from AB 928. The theme for this year’s conference—Reclaiming Joy: Reconnect. Refocus. Revolutionize—calls on us to reclaim the joy inherent in learning, collaboration, and student transformation, to reconnect with our students, refocus on what truly matters (our students), and to revolutionize our campuses to better meet students’ needs.
The conference, by and for California community college practitioners, features breakout sessions that can help us achieve the objectives of our grant, such as:
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Transforming Math Success: Community of Practice & Standards-Based Grading
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Credit for Prior Learning
Colleges have been given a small amount of funding for Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), and your college may have dedicated some of the funding for professional development. Select breakout sessions that align with the project so you can demonstrate how attending the conference will help your campus achieve the funding’s purpose.
Justification: “I would like to attend the Strengthening Student Success Conference (SSSC) and am requesting funding from CPL. The SSSC is designed by and for California community college practitioners to share best practices and learn from each other. The theme for this year’s conference—Reclaiming Joy: Reconnect. Refocus. Revolutionize—calls on us to reclaim the joy inherent in learning, collaboration, and student transformation, to reconnect with our students, refocus on what truly matters (our students), and to revolutionize our campuses to better meet students’ needs.”
One session I would like to attend is:
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Reimagining Work-Based Learning: Embedding Career Exploration Into Non-CTE Classrooms
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AB 1111 Common Course Numbering
Your college has been given funding to complete the AB 1111 Common Course Numbering Project and there may be funds for professional development. Make sure you select breakout sessions that align with the project so you can demonstrate how attending the conference will help your campus achieve the grant's purpose.
Justification: “I would like to attend the Strengthening Student Success Conference (SSSC) and am requesting funding from the Common Course Numbering program. The SSSC is designed by and for California community college practitioners to share best practices and learn from each other. The theme for this year’s conference—Reclaiming Joy: Reconnect. Refocus. Revolutionize—calls on us to reclaim the joy inherent in learning, collaboration, and student transformation, to reconnect with our students, refocus on what truly matters (our students), and to revolutionize our campuses to better meet students’ needs.”
One session I would like to attend is:
- Supporting Student Motivation in Co-Requisite Math Courses: Lessons From Citrus College and Motivate Lab
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Attend the conference as a team
Colleges receive a 10% discount on registration for groups of 10 or more. That’s one free registration for nine paid registrations. And with a team, you can attend almost all of the breakout sessions and share what you’ve learned.
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Sign up to serve as a room host at the conference
Complete this request form to serve as a room host and attend the conference for free. Additional details can be found on the Registration page.
Presenter Resources
Thank you for presenting at the Strengthening Student Success Conference 2026 (SSSC26)! Please review the information below as you prepare for your session. The information applies to each breakout session:
Select an option below:
- What to Bring
- Room Setup
- Sound/AV/Supplies
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Laptop
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HDMI (or micro HDMI) to VGA adapter (if your laptop requires HDMI for projector connection)
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Mac adapter if needed
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Your presentation on a backup flash drive
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Any handouts/session evaluations you plan to distribute
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Any supplies needed for your presentation not mentioned below
Attendance may vary by session. If you have a smaller group in a large room, feel free to move chairs or tables closer together to create a more engaging environment. Please return the room to its original setup afterward.
Rooms will be set in round tables of 8 to 10, depending on the size. Each room setup will also include:
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Podium
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Head table for three
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Water station
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One podium mic (wireless)
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Laptop sound
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Speakers
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Mixer
AV:
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LCD projector
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Wireless remote/laser pointer
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VGA cable
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Power strip
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Screen
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Flipchart pad/markers - available ONLY upon request*
*To request supplies, please email MeetingWise LLC by September 21, 2026. We will do our best to accommodate requests based on availability and budget.
PowerPoint Deadline and Accessibility Tips
Accessible Presentation Materials
We want all conference attendees to be able to fully engage with your session. Before submitting your materials, please review your presentation and handouts to ensure they meet accessibility standards.
Need help?
Review our Accessibility Tips for Presenters for guidance on creating accessible presentation materials and delivering concise, visually clear, and engaging presentations.
Submission Requirements
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PowerPoint presentations must be exported as an accessible PDF and submitted by Monday, September 28, at 12 pm.
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Email your PDF to Jennifer Cooley at professionaldevelopment@rpgroup.org.
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Name your file: Session Title_Lead Presenter Name
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Only fully accessible materials can be posted in the event app. If your materials do not meet accessibility standards, we will return them to you for revisions.
Thank you for helping us create an inclusive and engaging environment for all!
Session Essentials
Select an option below:
- Engagement Matters
- Room Hosts and Handouts
- Evaluations
Attendees will be participating in multiple sessions throughout the day. Design your session—regardless of length—with active learning in mind. Whether through storytelling, demonstrations, dialogue, or hands-on activities, participants should leave with ideas they can apply to their own work and settings.
Here’s a sample structure for a 75-minute session:
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5–10 minutes: Welcome and session overview
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5–10 minutes: Participant activity
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10–20 minutes: Share key concepts or content
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5–10 minutes: Interactive activity
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5–10 minutes: Wrap-up of main content
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5–10 minutes: Q&A
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3–5 minutes: Closing and final takeaways
The time ranges allow flexibility depending on your topic and facilitation style—whether you need more time for presenting, extended activities, or deeper discussion.
Remember: Most people can’t stay focused just listening for 75 minutes—even with multiple presenters (which we recommend for longer sessions). Breaking up your session with varied formats and interactive moments helps keep participants engaged and deepens learning.
Each session will have an assigned room host to support you with logistics such as distributing handouts, adjusting lighting or room temperature, contacting AV support, and addressing other needs. Your host will also help keep the session on schedule, make closing announcements, and guide attendees to the next session.
If your session reaches capacity, the host will post a “Session Full” sign outside the door. In most cases, we cannot add extra chairs due to space and fire code limitations, and attendees may not sit on the floor. Your host will coordinate with conference staff if exceptions are possible.
Please plan to arrive 15 minutes early to meet your host and test your presentation setup.
Handouts
If you're planning to distribute handouts, we recommend bringing at least 50 copies. Please note: copying services will not be available on-site, so come prepared with everything you need.
The conference does not conduct individual session evaluations. However, if you would like to gather written feedback from your session participants, you are welcome to bring and distribute your own evaluation form. If you plan to do so, please set aside approximately five minutes at the end of your session to allow attendees time to complete them.
Connect with the Local Community
The RP Group acknowledges that we operate on the unceded land of over 200 tribal nations and honors California’s first peoples for their resilience, strength, and continued contributions. Indigenous communities are not only part of this land’s history, but are active, present, and leading important work today.
In alignment with The RP Group’s commitment to ensuring our acknowledgments lead to meaningful action, we invite you to deepen your understanding of and engagement with the Indigenous communities connected to the land where we will gather. We encourage attendees to take time to learn about and support the local tribes whose land we are on during SSSC26.
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Local Tribes
Tongva (Gabrielino) Peoples
The Tongva people are the original inhabitants of the Los Angeles Basin and surrounding areas, including present-day Orange County. With a history spanning thousands of years, Tongva communities continue to be active across the region today, engaging in cultural revitalization, education, and advocacy for recognition and land stewardship.Engage with the Tongva (Gabrielino) community: Learn about current initiatives, cultural education efforts, and ways to support through the Gabrielino-Tongva Tribe and the San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians Gabrieleno/Tongva.
Acjachemen (Juaneño) Nation
The Acjachemen people are the original inhabitants of the lands spanning much of present-day Orange County. Today, the Acjachemen Nation continues to preserve and share its cultural traditions, advocate for environmental and cultural protection, and engage in community education and partnership efforts.Support the Acjachemen (Juaneño) Nation: Visit the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation website to learn about their work, community efforts, and opportunities for support.
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Ways to Support and Engage
We encourage you to move beyond acknowledgment and explore ways to meaningfully support Indigenous communities, including the Tongva and Acjachemen Nations connected to the land where we will gather:
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Learn more about the land you are on:
Explore Native Land Digital to better understand Indigenous territories, languages, and histories. You can also explore the California Native American Heritage Commission Digital Atlas for California-specific information about Indigenous peoples, places, histories, and cultures. -
Support Indigenous-led organizations and initiatives in Southern California: Consider donating to or amplifying organizations that support Indigenous communities in the region, including those focused on land stewardship, cultural preservation, and education:
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Support Indigenous artists, businesses, and creators:
Seek out and support Native-owned businesses, artwork, and cultural products during your time in the region and beyond. You can explore curated directories and marketplaces such as: -
Continue your learning:
Engage with books, media, and educational resources created by Indigenous voices to deepen your understanding beyond the conference.
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- Learn More
Questions?
Contact Lila Tavelli, Associate Director of Professional Development, at professionaldevelopment@rpgroup.org.
