OCCRL at Illinois

The Office of Community College Research & Leadership at Illinois conducts research & evaluation to improve community college & P-20 education for ALL learners.

[OCCRL at Illinois @occrl]

Improving the community college to 4‑year transition starts with closing info gaps. A new OCCRL policy brief highlights how understanding students’ needs, strengthening articulation agreements & designing transfer‑specific supports can boost outcomes.
https://t.co/rgOVRUU6fX

[OCCRL at Illinois @occrl]

☀️ We’re taking our usual summer break from Network News! Before we sign off, catch the final issue of the fiscal year featuring Program Review Illinois updates, a hopeful Democracy’s College podcast, and community college highlights.
👉 https://t.co/OkGQPhSmS0 Back Aug 20! 🌴

[OCCRL at Illinois @occrl]

Higher ed leaders are carrying so much right now yet still pushing for equity every day. In this Democracy’s College episode, Robert Brown and Sara Furr unpack social justice fatigue, sustaining hope & how to keep equity work moving forward.

🎧 Listen: https://t.co/UN5WBQ0vPL

[OCCRL at Illinois @occrl]

The Program Review Advisory Committee wrapped up 2025–2026 with a focus on collaboration and evidence‑based program review. Members emphasized program review as a living, data‑driven practice that supports continuous improvement in Illinois. Recap at 🔗 https://t.co/LqWrrZf1AI.

[OCCRL at Illinois @occrl]

The Division of Lifelong Learning in the National Endowment for the Humanities is accepting applications for the Landmarks of American History and Culture and Summer Institutes through June 25. Learn more via our June 11 Network News: https://t.co/5lS4R4ill1.

[OCCRL at Illinois @occrl]

Higher ed doesn’t need to “fix students” — it needs to fix the systems that shape their pathways.

Dr. OiYan Poon talks with Drs. Courtney Luedke & Erick Montenegro about redesigning campus structures for real student success.

🎧 https://t.co/yUTqXeWWjj

[OCCRL at Illinois @occrl]

The 2026 Illinois Community College Leadership Institute brought powerful insights for emerging community college leaders—from higher ed governance to leading in the age of AI and in workforce culture. Thanks, Illinois Central College, for hosting! Photos: https://t.co/eNFGvsz2g6

[OCCRL at Illinois @occrl]

How do we cut DFW rates without cutting rigor? Jay Gatrell, president of Eastern Illinois University, shares how engagement‑focused, data‑informed teaching is boosting student success.

“DFW rates… have to do with engagement.”

🔗 to podcast at https://t.co/0kI8UKRz1x.

[OCCRL at Illinois @occrl]

Excellent work being done by Dr. TVIII! Listen to our podcast with Dr. Vaughan, "Micro-Urban Colleges, Quality Credentials, and Equity for Black Learners," at https://t.co/If1CSZRRCS.

[Workcred @workcred]

Last week, Workcred’s Dr. Terry Vaughan III presented initial findings on how to better support degree + non-degree credential pathways for future learners during the Non-Degree Research Network conference. Stay tuned for the full report to be released this summer

[OCCRL at Illinois @occrl]

In this timely #podcast, an esteemed panel digs into how community colleges are facing turbulent times, with hope for what's ahead. Featuring Dr. Lorenzo Baber, Dr. Deneece Huftalin, and Dr. Darin Jensen. Listen at https://t.co/HUup6NLSmB. 🎧

[OCCRL at Illinois @occrl]

Higher education is navigating big questions — workforce readiness, the role of critical_thinking, and even who commencement is really for. Plus: the Canvas breach shows why structural reform can’t wait.
Read more in Network News: https://t.co/BVrE3s4MG1.

[OCCRL at Illinois @occrl]

Democracy's College podcast with host Gianina Baker and guests Valerie Lynch and Deana Schenk:
How basic-needs support, benefits navigators, and house liaisons help students stay enrolled, feel supported, and thrive. Listen at https://t.co/F5lVgQl6Ue.

[OCCRL at Illinois @occrl]

A beautiful day yesterday celebrating our College of Education grads! 🎓 From the ceremony at ARC to the outdoor reception at the Education Building, the day featured remarks from Dean Mouza, Dr. Tapaha’s land‑grant acknowledgment & of course recognition of our #ILLINOIS grads!

[OCCRL at Illinois @occrl]

A powerful conversation on Democracy's College about student leadership, student advocacy, and a student advisory committee that is shaping policy in Illinois. 🎙️ Guests Leonidas Hamza and Deana Schenk chat with host Nina Owolabi: https://t.co/fnCzthDHX9.

[OCCRL at Illinois @occrl]

OCCRL celebrates Aidana Sirgebayeva, senior research assistant, for receiving a Graduate Summer Research Award supporting her project on faculty research experiences in Kazakhstan. Read more at https://t.co/Gl5Ru2teY6.

[OCCRL at Illinois @occrl]

UIS has been named one of SmartAsset’s 2026 “America’s Best Value Small Colleges and Universities.” It’s one of eight Illinois schools on the list.

More in OCCRL’s May 7 Network News: https://t.co/LVQJx3NHCL.

[Partnership for College Completion @partnershipfcc]

📷 In celebration of our 10th anniversary, Dr. Lisa Castillo Richmond (@Lili_Castille) reflects on her time leading PCC: https://t.co/6so9j0mIPz | #PCCin10

[OCCRL at Illinois @occrl]

Meaningful conversations. Shared resources. Collective momentum.

The SUCCESS Communities of Practice Convening at Lincoln Land Community College brought campus teams together to advance equity‑focused, student‑centered change. Thanks to all who attended & shared their insights!

[OCCRL at Illinois @occrl]

Illinois SUCCESS podcast: How campuses can turn data into real equity action.

OiYan Poon + Nick Branson break down “institutional performance equity gaps,” student‑ready systems, and why many colleges are “data rich but insight poor.”

Listen at https://t.co/9ZxR0uFFaR.

[OCCRL at Illinois @occrl]

Equity-centered approaches matter. OCCRL’s new brief by Aidana Sirgebayeva highlights key benefits, challenges, and practitioner recommendations for higher ed and community colleges.

Read more: https://t.co/vHE5lsFTp1