2026-2027 SEM Program: Supporting the Student Journey

Overview

What could your college accomplish with a full year of focused Strategic Management Enrollment support?

Driven by Vision 2030, this year-long, team-based program gives colleges dedicated time, coaching, structure, and professional development to strengthen the student experience from access to completion.

What does participating in the SEM Program mean?

The 2026-27 cohort will include 15 college teams of 10 people composed of a cross-disciplinary group of faculty, support staff, and administrators. Each team will:

  • Tailor a SEM project for your campus
  • Use data to guide strategies
  • Collaborate with peers from other colleges
  • Receive year-long coaching from two dedicated coaches and support from a cross-disciplinary leadership team of over 30 experts
  • Access tools and resources from the CCCCO Vision Resource Center
  • Build lasting SEM practices to improve retention, completion, and equity

Need Inspiration?

Examples of SEM projects college teams have completed in past cohorts:

  • Coordinating dual enrollment across a district
  • Tailoring programs and systems for adult learners
  • Reimagining recruitment, outreach, and onboarding
  • Advancing equity through SEM planning and implementation
  • Implementing student-focused scheduling
  • Creating student success teams
  • Strengthening SEM data support and infrastructure
  • Creating year-long scheduling and enrollment processes

Expected Engagement

College teams are expected to participate in the following activities:

  1. In-person SEM Academy, June 5-6, 2026 (Irvine Marriott)
  2. In-person Midpoint Convening, January 14-15, 2027 (North - location TBD) 
  3. In-person Final Convening, May 14, 2027 (South - location TBD) 
  4. Scheduled monthly virtual meetings between the college team and SEM Coaches 
  5. Two face-to-face campus visits with the college team and SEM Coaches

Application to Participate

The window to submit your application to participate is January 20 - February 17, 2026.

To apply:

  1. Form a cross-functional team that includes instructional and non-instructional faculty, support services staff, and administrators.
  2. Submit the online application (linked below) describing your proposed SEM project and project team.

Helpful tip: Colleges participating in a Partnership Resource Team with similar goals are encouraged to combine resources to strengthen their SEM Program participation.

Colleges accepted into the program will attend the SEM Academy on June 5–6, 2026. At the academy, teams will work with SEM coaches to refine project goals, key activities, and a detailed implementation plan for the year.

Steps for Submitting an Application to Participate

  1. Preview the SEM Application Worksheet and review sample SEM topics before submitting your application. 
  2. If you have questions, please register and attend the SEM Application webinar on January 28, 2026, from 1:00-2:00 p.m.
  3. If you have additional questions, attend the application office hour session on February 4, 2026, from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Email Michelle White for more information and to get the Zoom link.
  4. Submit your application between January 20 - February 17, 2026.

Applications will be reviewed by the SEM leadership team based on project relevance, scope, feasibility, student impact, team composition, and alignment with the Vision 2030 framework. Pre-selected teams will meet with SEM leadership in March 2026 to discuss project goals, expected outcomes, implementation conditions, and leadership support.

SEM Resources

SEM Resources can be found in the Community of Practice (CoP) Strategic Enrollment Management section of the Vision Resource Center. (NOTE: To access the Vision Resource Center, a login is required and can be easily set up for all community college faculty, staff, and administrators.)

If you have any questions about the SEM Program, please contact Michelle White or Michelle Barton.