The Student Success Network in the California State University (CSU Network) experienced a breakthrough year in 2020-21, as we ramped up and adjusted our programming to support middle leaders in advancing equitable student learning, progression, completion, and success in the midst of a pandemic and a period of racial strife nationally. In light of the challenges posed by the onset of COVID-19, our activities took new forms and reached new levels of participation and impact. We also welcomed a new Network director and Convenings director, and we strengthened our organizational and financial footing.

In its fourth year, the Network facilitated the third Middle Leadership Academy; held a convening on educators’ growth mindsets about students and students’ sense of belonging on campus; piloted a virtual cross-campus consultancy; developed a multi-campus research project on bureaucratic barriers students experience in the CSU; and continued to cultivate key relationships across the CSU.

During its third year as a public-private partnership effort, the Network released two research studies on academic advising; facilitated the second Middle Leadership Academy, with 12 campus teams participating; supported two convenings hosted by CSU campuses; launched an improved website; and continued to cultivate key relationships across the CSU, including, for the first time, engaging all 23 CSU campuses in Network activities.

In its second year as a state-supported effort, the Network released its first two Applied Research publications focused on issues related to students’ experiences, launched the Middle Leadership Academy which provides professional learning opportunities for cross-role campus teams, supported two Convenings hosted by individual CSU campuses on topics of importance to every campuses, engaged an external developmental evaluator, launched a blog to share evidence-based information from across the system, and continued to cultivate key relationships within the CSU.