Friday, August 1, 2025
2025 Joint Convening
New Day, New US: Leveraging Collective Impact to Respond to a New Normal
A Joint Convening for Elected Officials & Funders
The Northern California College Promise Coalition (NCCPC) is pleased to host our 2025 Joint Convening for Elected Officials & Funders on Friday, August 1 at De Anza College in Cupertino, California! This year’s event theme is New Day, New US: Leveraging Collective Impact to Respond to a New Normal.
As a unifying force since 2019, our coalition brings together a wide array of stakeholders committed to enhancing college access, success, and career pathways for first-generation, low-income, BIPOC, multiply marginalized and underserved students in Northern California.
The convening is proudly co-hosted by California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, OneGoal, Beyond12, UCLA CalKIDS Institute, Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens (District 26), Assemblymember Ash Kalra (District 25), and Senator Dave Cortese (District 15).
We are grateful to the College Futures Foundation, Stupski Foundation, Sobrato Philanthropies, and De Anza College for sponsoring this event!
Our event stands as a key gathering point for those actively involved in shaping educational policy and promoting economic mobility, those we refer to as Champions of Higher Education Equity. It’s an opportunity to delve into the collective efforts that make a real difference in the lives of students from Sacramento to the Central Valley.
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Convening Champions of Higher Education
This year’s Joint Convening was fully in-person to allow for more networking and connection among attendees.
PROGRAM
- 10:30 AM – Welcome
- Plenary, Postsecondary Matters Now MORE than Ever
- 11:45 AM – Networking Lunch
- 12:45 PM – 3:00 PM – Breakout Sessions
- 3:15 PM – Plenary, The State of Higher Education Affordability & Financing
- 4:00 PM – Closing
- 5:00 PM – OPTIONAL Networking at BJ’s Restaurant
This year, we welcomed 100+ participants, including local, state, and national funders, elected officials, mayors, employers, postsecondary leaders, and educators.
The Audience for this event included:
- City Officials
- County Officials
- Employers
- Funders & Investors
- K-12
- Nonprofit organizations
- Postsecondary
- State Officials
- Student Leaders
Event Photos
Testimonials
I am deeply thankful for the ongoing work of the Northern California College Promise Coalition (NCCPC) to expand access and promote student success, and I was excited to be able to co-host their meeting within Assembly District 26 at my alma mater De Anza College. As a housing insecure community college student, De Anza is where I first found my footing, begun to build deep relationships, and realized the transformative impact of public education and community leadership. Now as an elected State Assemblymember, I have taken up the fight in Sacramento protecting public education funding in our state budget and expanding California’s College Promise program to part-time students. I am proud to be able to continue working with NCCPC because we know success doesn’t look the same for everyone, and California’s policies should reflect this reality.
It was a privilege for the UCLA CalKIDS Institute to co-host the Joint Convening with NCCPC for the first time—an experience that proved both inspiring and deeply meaningful. We are especially grateful to the NCCPC team for their warmth, vision, and partnership, and for bringing together so many leaders committed to expanding higher education opportunities that prepare young people for fulfilling careers, engaged citizenship, and thriving communities.
We look forward to continuing this important work together and making a lasting impact for future generations.
The NCCPC convening was a timely and much-needed opportunity to bring elected officials, funders, and college promise programs together as we work toward a future where all students can access the postsecondary education they want and deserve. At Beyond 12, we know that this kind of alignment and coalition-building is what truly drives systemic change for the first-generation college students we are honored to coach and serve. By spotlighting the exciting initiatives underway across Northern California — from cradle-to-career data systems to college savings plans — this convening renewed our energy as we continue partnering with California-based promise programs and institutions to support students through college and into meaningful careers.
As a leader of a college and career access nonprofit, it was affirming to hear that the data tells us that post-high school education, including degrees, credentials, and certifications – is still important and valued. At OneGoal, we work with schools and districts to set first-generation college students up for success by ensuring they have the necessary tools to make informed decisions about their future. It was inspiring to hear from elected officials and funders about how they are working in coalition with one another to support students holistically – from health and wellbeing to financial affordability.
News
Videos
Highlight Reel
Segment 1
Segment 2
Calls to Action:
READ AND SHARE OUR THREE-YEAR POLICY AGENDA (2025-2028)
Accessible at https://bit.ly/NCCPCPolicyAgenda, you can explore NCCPC’s Three-Year Policy Agenda, which began on July 1, 2025, and expires June 30, 2028.
