For community colleges, the mission is clear: provide an accessible path to social and economic mobility. However, the reality of the student experience is often defined by competing priorities—balancing work, family, and academics. While traditional support services are vital, structured mentorship is the glue that keeps students enrolled and moving toward the finish line.

The question for community college leaders is no longer whether mentorship works, but how to scale it. How do you design a program that doesn't just provide an occasional check-in, but actively drives credit completion and graduation rates?

Join Glenda Morgan (Student Success Leader), Michael Amick, Andre Bernal, and Edward Kesler (Pima Community College) for a panel discussion on the transformative power of mentorship within the community college ecosystem. Through a blend of high-level thought leadership and on-the-ground practitioner experience, we will explore how Pima Community College is moving the needle on student outcomes.

In this webinar, you'll learn:

• The ROI of Connection: Deep dive into the data-driven link between structured mentorship and key metrics like retention, credit completion, and graduation.
• Operationalizing Success: Insights from Pima Community College on the "how-to" of implementing and managing large-scale grant-funded mentorship initiatives.
• A Holistic Perspective: Explore the intersection of executive vision, program management, and the lived experience of students.

Meet the Speakers:

Morgan is a higher education analyst and consultant who works with universities, edtech companies, and investors to make better decisions about student success, online learning, and educational technology. With more than 25 years of experience in institutional and advisory roles — including leadership positions at the University of Wisconsin System, the California State University Office of the Chancellor, and the University of Illinois — she brings deep operational and market insight to her work. Morgan runs Morgan EdTech Strategies, works with Phil Hill & Associates, and publishes the newsletter “On Student Success.” She is known for translating complex research and market dynamics into clear, actionable guidance for leaders navigating change.

Michael is the Chief Online Learning Officer at Pima Community College, providing leadership and oversight for PimaOnline. Since 2015, Michael has helped spur growth in online enrollment through guiding the reorganization and continuous improvement of online learning, online faculty leadership, instructional design and student success within PimaOnline. As a leader, Michael seeks to promote innovative online learning practices and technologies that advance online teaching and learning.

Andre Bernal, Grant Program Manager, Pima Community College
Andre Bernal is a Program Manager at Pima Community College, where he leads the launch of new initiatives and tools to better support online students. With nine years of experience in higher education, he enjoys finding practical ways to improve the student experience and help learners succeed in virtual environments. Andre holds an MBA and is deeply passionate about student success and expanding access through innovation.

Edward is the Lead Peer Mentor for Pima Online’s Peer Mentoring Program, where he supports and guides student mentors in fostering academic success and connection. A former U.S. Coast Guard officer with additional years in various federal agencies, Edward brings extensive experience in mentoring and leadership through roles as an Education Services Officer, Supervisor, Trainer, and Team Lead. Edward recently earned his Associate of Applied Science in Cybersecurity from Pima Community College.

Register now to discover how to move mentorship from a supportive  service to a primary driver of your institution’s success strategy!