Success Network

Leadership Communities

Leading the Way

Since 2015, the Network Organizers have formally recognized communities with systems in place to drive meaningful and equitable postsecondary attainment as Leadership Communities. To date, 20 communities have applied for and received this designation from the Network Organizers. Leadership Communities are eligible to receive targeted technical assistance, capacity building, funding to support community-level approaches to career pathway system development and increasing postsecondary degree and credential attainment, and access to the Leadership Community Dashboard.

What It Means To Be a Leadership Community

Communities with systems in place to drive meaningful and equitable postsecondary attainment are eligible for recognition as Leadership Communities. They engage in peer-to-peer learning through the Network and must meet the following criteria:

Collaborative: Document a partnership involving employers, workforce boards, education, municipal leadership, and community-based organizations.
Data-Centric: Capture and use data for continuous improvement.
Strategic: Develop a plan to implement key strategies for increasing meaningful and equitable postsecondary attainment. This may include:
- Aligning student transitions through postsecondary education and into careers.
- Implementing locally prioritized college and career pathway systems.
- Supporting implementation of real-life learning.
- Proactively considering equity in the design and implementation of strategies.
Focused: Define a geographic community of focus.
Accountable: Identify a trusted intermediary organization to help build a common agenda with a shared measurement system, harmonize mutually reinforcing activities, measure progress, and foster communication among partners.