Professional Development

Learn, Grow, and Connect... Through an RP Group Event or Program!

Our professional development program, guided by our mission to advance equity for minoritized and marginalized students by uplifting their voices, equips practitioners to dismantle systemic barriers. Our offerings bring people together to learn from each other, lead together, and co-create student-centered change through:
Side-view of a conference presenter speaking to her audience.

To advance our mission, The RP Group offers annual conferences, institutes, academies, webinars, social media events, and day-long workshops. Peruse our upcoming signature events below.

RP Conference

The annual RP Conference is the largest gathering of institutional research, planning, and effectiveness professionals in the California Community College system.

See RP Conference 2026

Strengthening Student Success Conference

An annual conference for California community college professionals—faculty, deans, student services staff, IRPE professionals, and more—to connect across roles and campuses to explore strategies to improve equitable outcomes, strengthen institutional effectiveness, and build leadership capacity.

Learn about Strengthening Student Success Conference

IRPE Summer-to-Summer Institute

A 10-month inclusive learning experience, including in-person convenings, monthly virtual sessions, and coaching support, for IRPE professionals focused on equity-minded leadership and social justice for California’s community colleges.

Learn about the IRPE Summer-to-Summer Institute

PIER to PIER

Monthly PIER to PIER (IRPE to IRPE) virtual convenings that provide a space for IRPE professionals to discuss practice, share strategies, develop solutions, and collaborate on topics related to IRPE office operations and institutional planning, effectiveness, and innovation.

See upcoming PIER to PIER events
An illustration of a person engaging with two people on the computer.

Equity Research and Social Justice Collaborative

Monthly virtual convenings focused on advancing equity research methods and inspiring positive student-focused change for racially minoritized students in the California Community Colleges system.

See upcoming Equity Research and Social Justice Collaborative events
An illustration of 3 students of varying heights standing on platforms boosting each of them to the same height as they reach for a graduation cap.

Web Events and Workshops

A variety of web events and workshops focused on the latest research, resources, and developments to support institutional effectiveness and equitable student success efforts.

See our upcoming virtual events
An illustration of two people conversing via virtual video and audio on their computers.

Leading from the Middle Academy

In partnership with the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, the Leading from the Middle Academy offers in-person convenings, ongoing coaching support, and an extensive alumni network to support colleges in developing cross-functional teams to lead equity-centered change.

Learn more about the Leading from the Middle Academy

Strategic Enrollment Management Program

In partnership with the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, the Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) Program offers in-person convenings and ongoing coaching to support colleges as they develop and implement a SEM project of their choice.

Learn more about the Strategic Enrollment Management Program

Vision-Aligned Reporting Academy

In partnership with the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and WestEd, the Vision-Aligned Reporting Academy offers in-person convenings and ongoing coaching to support colleges in aligning student success initiatives to advance equity and improve student outcomes.

Learn more about the Vision-Aligned Reporting Academy