Thinking & Advocacy
Twenty-two years ago, I began developing holistic case management advising models to support historically marginalized students. At a time when this approach was not widely embraced in education, I saw an opportunity to bring my skills as a social worker to students who had left high school due to pregnancy, incarceration, or homelessness —individuals seeking a better life through higher education. As a practitioner, action-based researcher, and leader, I quickly realized that the strength of the student-professional relationship was at the core of student success.
That principle guided my work as the associate vice president of student success at Connecticut State Community College, where I led campus-based and state-level initiatives to reimagine how advising and holistic supports could transform the lives of Connecticut’s community college students. From 2018 to 2020, I had the privilege of receiving coaching and support from Achieving the Dream’s director of holistic student supports, who helped ground our work in evidence-based redesign principles that placed the student experience at the center. Our redesign efforts addressed change at structural, process, and attitudinal levels, ultimately leading to a model that continues to make a positive impact on students today. My doctoral research further explored this shift, examining the experiences of community college advisors and mid-level leaders as they transitioned from transactional, registration-focused advising to a holistic case management approach.
Since joining Achieving the Dream in January 2025 as the director of advising and holistic student supports, I have been inspired by the dedication of our Network colleges to ensuring students receive the comprehensive support they need to thrive. Engaging with leaders and practitioners at DREAM 2025, in online spaces, and during site visits, I have witnessed tremendous work happening on campuses across the country. Yet, as we move into the second half of the decade, there is still much to do. Two critical areas demand our continued focus: addressing student basic needs and expanding holistic advising to reach more students in more meaningful ways.
Addressing student basic needs
In the wake of the global pandemic, student basic needs remain a pressing concern. In ATD’s 2023–2024 Annual Reflections Survey, 91% of ATD Network colleges identified student basic needs as a key priority. Despite efforts to address these challenges, The Hope Center’s 2023–2024 Student Basic Needs Survey reveals that 59% of community college students still experience at least one form of basic needs insecurity.
With today’s uncertain federal policy landscape, we must be more intentional than ever in removing barriers that prevent students from earning credentials with market value —credentials that lead to family-sustaining wages. ATD’s newly introduced Community Vibrancy Framework provides a roadmap for deeper engagement with community partners who share these goals. ATD has supported various colleges in establishing partnerships to expand student basic needs services, such as Austin Community College, who, through a partnership with YMCA, expanded on-campus and low-cost child care services. As leaders, we must push the boundaries of collaboration and take bold, intentional steps to further eliminate barriers to student success.
Expanding holistic advising and support
The second priority is revitalizing and expanding our approach to advising and holistic support to ensure all students — regardless of their pathway — receive the guidance they need. As dual enrollment continues to grow, we must strengthen partnerships with K–12 institutions to ensure these students benefit from college and career advising while participating in dual enrollment programs. As both adult learners and “traditional-age” students increasingly seek short-term workforce credential programs, community colleges have experienced a surge in non-credit program enrollment. Whether students are upskilling, reskilling, or using an initial credential as a pathway to academic and career advancement, institutions must be proactive in providing holistic advising and comprehensive support. Engaging students early through personalized guidance from professional staff helps them develop clear academic and career plans, ultimately leading to high-quality employment opportunities.
Strategies and actions
No single, one-size-fits-all strategy exists — each institution has unique structures, processes, and student populations. However, what you all share is the deep commitment to community — both internally and externally. With that in mind, here are key strategies to consider as institutions expand and refine holistic student support models and embed academic and career advising in new spaces:
- Engage faculty in reassessing early alert processes and other methods for leveraging faculty insights to better support students.
- Adopt technology-enabled practices to collect student needs data at entry and throughout their journey, allowing for real-time interventions.
- Develop partnerships with community and philanthropic organizations to establish emergency aid programs, expand student basic needs support services, and leverage community resources.
- Strengthen collaboration with K–12 school districts and community-based organizations to embed academic, career, and financial advising into dual enrollment programs.
- Form cross-functional teams that integrate academic and student affairs, workforce development, and non-credit program staff to ensure short-term credential seekers receive holistic academic and career advising.
These actions are not just recommendations: they are imperatives. The path forward requires collective commitment, innovation, and bold leadership. As we move ahead, I remain committed to supporting our Network colleges in advancing these priorities. Together, we can build a future where every student — regardless of background, zip code, or pathway — has the support they need to thrive.
Learn more about ATD’s expertise in holistic student supports and how we can help your college become a student-centered institution.