Student Success and Retention Conference 2025

Best practices from the largest online university on supporting students from enrollment to graduation.

HECC? OCCA? OPU’s? Do these initials make sense to you? If not, join in this interactive session to learn about Oregon’s community colleges and public universities, including demystifying the alphabet soup of higher education acronyms. If you’re new to higher education or new to Oregon, or even just confused about the whole jumble of state agencies and committees, this is the workshop for you!

This presentation is focused on expanding access to higher education for rural and small-town students in Oregon. This session is divided into two key parts: 1) Understanding Rural Oregon Student Data Trends – Gain valuable insights into the college-going culture of Oregon high school students through College Board data. Explore the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping rural students’ postsecondary pathways. 2) Leveraging the STARS College Network – Learn how you can connect your students to the STARS College Network, a transformative initiative partnering with 32 of the nation's top colleges and universities. This free resource provides personalized advising, application support, virtual programming, and campus visit opportunities—all designed to help rural students successfully navigate the college admissions process and thrive at their chosen institution. Learn more: starscollegenetwork.org. Don't miss this opportunity to equip yourself with data-driven insights and powerful resources to support Oregon's rural and small-town students in accessing life-changing educational opportunities!