Access, Complete, Connect, Engage (ACCE) Grant

Project Status: Planning

PSU was awarded $7,823,199 million to fund the Access, Connect, Complete, Engage (ACCE) program in partnership with Clackamas Community College (CCC) and Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) to serve 2,000 transfer students. This approach includes clear transfer pathways, integrated coaching, direct financial aid, and data driven evaluation. ACCE aims to tackle systemic barriers to academic success for underserved transfer students, reducing disparities in post-secondary outcomes across PSU and partnering community colleges. The program has officially launched and the team aims to have coaches hired, trained, and ready to give services to MHCC and CCC students this upcoming Winter 2025!

Accomplished

Transfer Success Coaches Hired: We have successfully hired and onboarded four Transfer Success Coaches who will provide direct support to participating students. Their training has included:
- Student Academic Support Services (SASS) Academic Coaching philosophy
- PSU systems and processes
- PSU advising and additional student services training
- MHCC & CCC advising and student services training
Student Recruitment Launched: We identified approximately 2,000 eligible students across MHCC and CCC for the first cohort, and recruitment efforts are in full swing. Coaches have implemented an aggressive marketing campaign, including:
- Tabling at student events
- Flyers and postcards
- Classroom visits
- Information sessions
- Phone outreach
ACCE Student Website Launched: The student-facing ACCE website is now live, providing information and resources for interested students.
ACCE Project Charter Finalized: The ACCE Project Committee has been established and has finalized the program’s charter. This committee will meet monthly to provide advisory support.
Milestones Defined: ACCE coaches will work with students to support their success in the following detailed milestones.
IRB Approval Secured: PSU's External Reliance IRB process is now complete, ensuring all research and evaluation components with our external data evaluator, AIR (American Institutes for Research), align with ethical and compliance standards.
MOUs Finalized: Agreements between MHCC/CCC and PSU have been fully executed, providing a clear framework for collaboration moving forward.

In Progress

Financial Incentive Distribution: We are actively working through the logistics of distributing financial incentives to students in alignment with institutional policies and compliance requirements. This remains a top priority, and we will provide updates as details are finalized.
Cohort Numbers: While initial interest and eligibility numbers for Cohort 1 are slightly lower than expected, engagement has been promising. We will continue to refine outreach strategies to ensure strong participation, and explore additional options such as a potential third cohort.
Coaching Implementation: Coaches are now prepared to begin working with students on milestone achievement. Upcoming activities include:
- Hosting a Welcome Event at PSU for Cohort 1
- Launching initial student workshops
- Planning recruitment for Cohort 2 (Fall 2025)

Project Team

Sponsor: The Department of Education
Project Leads: Andrea Garrity and Randi Harris
Program Manager: Delaney Ybarra
ACCE Project Team: Matthew Carlson, Delaney Ybarra, Regina Arellano, Emanuel Magana, Robert Findtner, Shoshana Zeisman-Pereyo, Brittany Montana, Perla Pinedo, Randi Harris, Andrea Garrity, MHCC+CCC partners
Coach Hiring Committee: Delaney Ybarra (Chair and Hiring Manager), Regina Arellano, Alicia Wolverton, Joanna Jauregui, Shoshana Zeisman-Pereyo
Associate Director for Transfer Student Success Hiring Committee: Delaney Ybarra and Beth Harris (Co-Chairs), Andrea Garrity and Randi Harris (Hiring Managers), Suzanne Koedoot, Rob Findtner, Tong Zhang, Clara Martinez
Collaborators: Mount Hood Community College and Clackamas Community College